Congressman Andy Harris Says Family Threatened Around Cambridge Forum
Dorchester County, MD - Congressman Andy Harris says he and his family got threatening messages before and after a League of Women Voters candidate forum in Cambridge on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. His office also says assault charges were filed against a Democratic Central Committee member from a neighboring county.
The details come from a statement released by the Congressman's office on October 14, 2026. Harris, a Republican, represents Maryland's First Congressional District.
The forum put Harris and his Democratic challenger, Dan Schwartz, in front of a packed crowd in Cambridge, Maryland. The League of Women Voters hosted the event and moderated the debate.
According to Harris's office, one of the messages said that "blood will be drawn" at the forum. The office says law enforcement agencies have been told about the messages. The statement says those agencies are reviewing the messages and investigating.
Harris's office also says a Democratic Central Committee member from a neighboring county assaulted one of the Congressman's supporters at the event. The statement says the person was escorted out of the forum and charges were filed.
The statement does not name the person or the county they are from. It also does not say which agency filed the charges or what the exact charges are.
Harris shared his thoughts on the night in the statement.
"It's disappointing that political violence and intimidation has reached the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Although League of Women Voters forums used to be events with civil discourse, agitators bussed in from as far away as New Jersey showed up yesterday for one purpose - to disrupt and heckle. One Democratic Central Committee member even assaulted one of my supporters and had to be escorted out, with charges filed. Threatening messages were sent both before and after the event, including that 'blood will be drawn' at the forum."
He also said he does not believe his opponent supports what happened.
"I know my opponent doesn't support this - we need to return to civility in politics once again for the sake of the country," said Congressman Harris.
His office says Harris plans to keep meeting with voters face to face across the First District. The statement also asks residents to take part in the democratic process in a peaceful and respectful way.
We will update this story as more information becomes available.
