Previewing Maryland's 1st Congressional District race between Harris, Miller

Maryland’s First United States Congressional District largely encompasses the state’s Eastern Shore and the 2024 election will once again feature incumbent Rep. Andy Harris, a Republican in his seventh term in the House of Representatives.

Harris, the only Republican currently in the state’s congressional delegation, is facing the Democratic candidate, Blane Miller III.

In addition to the nine Shore counties, the district also includes Harford County and some of Eastern Baltimore County.

Andy Harris (R)

Incumbent Maryland U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, R-1st, is in his seventh term in the House of Representatives. Harris, 67, is the only Republican currently in the state’s congressional delegation.

Harris previously pledged to serve only six terms before his 2022 reelection. He is an anesthesiologist by trade, who resides in Dorchester County.

Harris did not respond to a questionnaire about the priorities of the First District from the Daily Times earlier this year. Among the top priorities Harris has listed on his campaign website are:

• Cutting taxes: "I am not done with my efforts yet, and will continue to push for more tax cuts and tax reform for our seniors, families, and businesses. Letting you keep more of your hard-earned paychecks is a top priority, and with that comes cutting wasteful spending and keeping government spending in check, so we can afford tax cuts while preventing future generations from a debt that will bankrupt our country."
• Growth and jobs: "Since getting elected to Congress, I have been working to make America more competitive, as appropriate for the 21st century. That includes fostering an economic climate that helps U.S. industries adapt and grow, hire new employees, and invest in research and development."
• Immigration: We have to reform our process that provides a legal path to immigration and citizenship, protecting our neighborhoods from criminals, violent gangs, terrorists, and others who illegally cross our borders and endanger our families. Respecting America’s laws should be the first step towards becoming an American and giving back to our country. We should fully support enforcing existing immigration laws, securing our borders, and denying criminal, illegal immigrants safety in sanctuary states."

Blane Miller III (D)

The Democratic candidate Blane Miller III, 50, is a longtime Republican himself , who lost a bid as a Democrat for Harford County Executive in 2022.

Miller owns a construction consulting firm in Havre de Grace. Here's what Miller had to say about the priorities for the First District in response to a questionnaire sent by The Daily Times:

"While addressing the unique needs of our communities, it is essential to recognize that many of the issues are nationwide. These include economic crises, border control, abortion rights and social security/medicare.

• Broadband Access and Infrastructure: Reliable connectivity is crucial for education, business and communication.
• Economic Diversity : While agriculture and seafood remain significant industries in our district, we should explore ways to diversify our economic base.
• Education and Talent Retention : To retain talented teachers and provide quality education, we should explore innovative solutions."

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Previewing Maryland's 1st Congressional District race between Harris, Miller