Who's running in Maryland's 1st congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Andy Harris currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Lowering costs, reversing tariffs and maintaining SNAP funding.
Restoring consumer protection and tackling corruption.
Rural health care access on the Eastern Shore and opposing Medicaid cuts.
Comprehensive bipartisan immigration reform: stronger border security plus paths to citizenship, with ICE focused on violent criminals.
Open primaries rather than new congressional district lines.
Regular in-person town halls across the district.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Former senior director at the Conference of State Bank Supervisors.
Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary with 46.3% over Randi White (36.7%), Victor Guidice and George Walish.
Endorsed by Gov. Wes Moore, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Reps. Jamie Raskin and Sarah Elfreth, and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk.
Raised $695,170 through June 30, 2026, with $72,575 on hand.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
Harris 'is more vulnerable than he has ever been' because he works for the president rather than the district; Schwartz offers 'a representative who actually shows up and fights for them instead of one that hides from them'.
— Dan Schwartz, to Capital News Service
He takes time to remember voters' names and faces: 'He remembered us. Andy won't even look at us.'
— Anne Stevens of Kennedyville, at Schwartz's Chester town hall, reported by the Star Democrat
Arguments against
'Money doesn't beat Andy Harris' — Democrats have lost for 15 years by relying on fundraising rather than reaching communities such as Black voters on the Shore, and 'the assumption is any Democrat can win, and that's not the case'.
— Randi White, Democratic primary opponent, to Capital News Service
He faces an incumbent who has won his last eight elections by at least 10 points, had about $73,000 on hand to Harris's $1.85 million at mid-year, and runs in a district forecasters rate safe Republican.
— Capital News Service; Federal Election Commission filings; forecaster ratings
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Schwartz by name from Harris's campaign or the NRCC could be found; Harris's campaign declined to comment on him to the Ocean City Dispatch.
Whether Harris and Schwartz will debate had not been reported.
Restoring fiscal responsibility and protecting taxpayer dollars.
Cutting the size of the federal workforce to reduce waste.
Work requirements for able-bodied adults receiving welfare benefits.
Limited government and accountability in Washington, as chair of the Freedom Caucus.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Maryland's 1st District since January 2011.
Physician and anesthesiologist.
Chair of the House Freedom Caucus and of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture.
Won the 2022 general election with 54.4% against Heather Mizeur, his closest race as incumbent; won in 2024 by more than 90,000 votes.
Holds telephone town halls rather than in-person ones; says his July 2026 calls reached 13,000 people.
Won the June 23, 2026 Republican primary with 79.7% against Chris Bruneau.
Had $1.85 million in campaign cash as of June 30, 2026.
Arguments in favor
He has 'a proven record of courage and common sense', using his Freedom Caucus and Appropriations roles to restore fiscal responsibility and protect taxpayers.
— Andy Harris campaign site
Telephone town halls let him hear from thousands of constituents rather than a hundred in a room, he lives on the middle Shore and attends events across it, and callers thanked him for all he does for the Eastern Shore.
— Andy Harris and his spokesperson Michella Carter, reported by the Star Democrat
Arguments against
'A doctor that takes away people's healthcare is a scam, and calling yourself a fiscal conservative and voting for a budget that adds trillions to the federal deficit is a scam' — and he hides from voters behind telephone town halls.
— Dan Schwartz, Democratic opponent, reported by the Star Democrat
He 'only cares about what the president wants and his culture war, extreme policies', and 'doesn't represent the people in Maryland 1 at all'.
— Dan Schwartz and Randi White, Democratic candidates, to Capital News Service
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC material naming Harris specifically in 2026 could be read, although national Democrats have described the district as on their radar.
Whether Harris will debate Schwartz had not been reported.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Maryland held its primaries on June 23, 2026. Two candidates are on the November ballot: Republican incumbent Andy Harris, who beat Chris Bruneau 79.7% to 20.3%, and Democrat Dan Schwartz, who won a four-way primary with 46.3% over Randi White. The roster is confirmed against the Maryland State Board of Elections' 2026 general election candidate list. That list also carries one unaffiliated write-in candidate, Edward Shlikas; write-in candidates are not printed on the ballot, so he is not profiled here. Candidates appear here in the order the Board lists them. A mid-decade redistricting plan to redraw this district passed the House of Delegates in February 2026 but died in the state Senate, so the current lines stand; voters will decide Question 3 in November, which could allow a redraw before 2028. The district covers the entire Eastern Shore, Cecil and Harford counties and part of Baltimore County. Forecasters rate it safe Republican. As of June 30, 2026 Harris had $1.85 million on hand and Schwartz $72,575, after Schwartz raised $695,170.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Maryland ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Maryland State Board of Elections.