# Andy Harris U.S. Representative for Maryland's 1st Congressional District (Eastern Shore, Cecil County, parts of eastern Baltimore County) since January 2011 — currently in his 8th term. **Chair of the [[House Freedom Caucus]] since 2025**, succeeding Bob Good. Practicing anesthesiologist (Johns Hopkins, retired); [[U.S. Navy]] Reserve Captain (1988–2005). Previously a Maryland State Senator (1999–2010). The **only Republican member of Maryland's congressional delegation**, in a state where Democrats hold seven of eight House seats. ## 2026 mid-decade redistricting target In November 2025 Maryland Governor [[Wes Moore]] formed the **Governor's Redistricting Advisory Commission**, which on 2026-01-20 recommended a map specifically designed to flip MD-1 by stretching it across the Bay Bridge through Anne Arundel and into Howard County. The Maryland House of Delegates passed the map 99–37 on **2026-02-02**. Harris responded with **public threats of a federal lawsuit** on 2026-01-28. The redistricting effort was killed in late February 2026 when **Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson refused to bring the bill to the floor** — citing concerns about retaliatory federal action and procedural risk. Maryland thus became one of two failed Democratic counter-redraws of the cycle (with Illinois deferring entirely). Harris kept his seat. See [[Redistricting Timeline 2025-2026]] for the full chronology. ## Freedom Caucus chair Harris's 2025 ascension to the House Freedom Caucus chairmanship made him one of the most institutionally consequential conservatives in the House on second-term Trump priorities — including the Big Beautiful Bill negotiations, the DOGE rescission package, and the FY2026 appropriations fights. His district profile (rural, conservative Eastern Shore + Republican exurbs) gives him a relatively safe primary even after the failed Democratic redraw. ## Related - [[Wes Moore]] — Maryland governor whose redistricting commission targeted Harris's district - [[Redistricting Timeline 2025-2026]] — Maryland-specific entries