Andy Harris wants a rematch
State Sen. Andy Harris, just months off a shocking defeat at the hands of Democrat Frank Kratovil in Maryland's 1st Congressional District, is telling Roll Call (subscription required) that he wants a rematch. He tells the Washington indsider publication that he's planning to meet with the National Republican Congressional Committee within the next couple of weeks to make clear that he is still insterested in the seat. “We were within a percent in what was a terrible year for the Republicans, and I’m hoping 2010 will be a better year,” Harris told Roll Call. He said he's been raising money in his federal account and will continue to do so.
It's usually hard to knock off a Congressional incumbent, but when it happens, it's often after the representative's first term and often after a close election like this one. The 1st District is way beyond marginal for Democrats -- it was specifically designed to be a Republican seat. So it's certainly conceivable that we'll have anouther tough election there next year. The question may be whether Harris gets a free shot in the GOP primary -- I could see other Republicans, particularly Sen. E.J. Pipkin, making their own runs and arguing that Harris' defeat this time shows he's the wrong guy for the job.
Comments
A Republican losing in the 1st to an unknown? Apparently Andy Harris isn't as embarrassed as he should be.
Might want to think this one through and let somebody else run.
Posted by: Jim | January 27, 2009 12:50 PM
Andy Harris has always been a single issue politician. Anti Abortion.
Posted by: Lesmon | January 27, 2009 2:33 PM
2010 means Harris and/or Pipkin will need to give up the State Senate seats, though. One might run, but not both.
Posted by: tjh | January 27, 2009 7:57 PM
O God, please shine upon us and have Andy Harris run for the 1st. district seat again. We promise to be good, clean our plates and not talk back to Mom, if you will just grant us this one wish.
Amen
Posted by: Bull Horns | January 28, 2009 9:58 AM
Andy Harris lost the 1st because he picked the wrong friends to work with, he was seen as abrasive and disconnected, and he wasn't from -- or otherwise seriously connected to -- the Eastern Shore.
If he runs again, he should be wiser in who he chooses to run his campaign and who he associates with.
Posted by: Gunpowder Chronicle | January 28, 2009 9:31 PM
How's Andy going to run his next campaign? Will he again scream liberal from on high? Despite his repeated warnings, Kratovil has marched in and legislated as a fiscal conservative. As his first order of business, he co-sponsored a bill to freeze automatic raises. Likewise, he defied Steny Hoyer and voted against the release of additional bailout money.
It's tough enough to knock off an incumbent. It's especially compounded when that incumbent accurately reflects the views of those he represents. Andy remains convinced he lost because of his party affiliation. In reality, Andy lost because he is Andy. Keep in mind, John McCain won every county that Harris lost.
Finally, to have any shot whatsoever, Harris will need ever more money than in 2008. We'll probably still be mired in a tough economy and people will have less disposable income than 2 years prior. Besides, I can't really see Harris' biggest contributor, the Club for Growth, wasting another $2 million on his behalf.
Posted by: Bud | January 29, 2009 5:37 AM