At a recent candidate forum one of my primary opponents, Heather Mizeur, proudly said that when Andy Harris’s campaign sends out fundraising letters, her name is on the envelope. In his fundraising literature he always refers to Heather, as if she’s the only candidate on the ballot. She liked that – the recognition from Andy.
I didn’t have the heart to tell her the reason Andy Harris is promoting Heather’s campaign and not mine is because he knows he can beat her – and that I can beat him.
Look, I know I’m the underdog, outsider in this race, but I also know Andy can’t wait to run against a progressive like Heather and use the old Republican mantras of “tax and spend,” “insider career politician,” and whatever else their propaganda machine has in store. Heather's record as a member of the House of Delegates from Takoma Park in Montgomery County -- including voting for Gov. O’Malley’s unpopular tax and fee increases -- makes her an easy target for Republican attacks. They will say that her record reflects the priorities of an affluent county like Montgomery, and they are not the priorities of the folks in the First District.
But they can’t label me. My career as a Senior Foreign Service Officer demonstrates my commitment to bipartisanship and bridging divisions. I was appointed as Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance by President Obama and received the Foreign Service’s highest award from President Trump.
I brought Israelis and Arabs together to work on economic development projects in the West Bank and Gaza. Economic development is my passion and life’s work, including finding ways to relieve small businesses of some of the regulations and other burdens that keep them from growing.
I’ve received endorsements from two national bipartisan organizations committed to protecting our democracy, including one group of 200 former ambassadors, retired military, and other former national security professionals. My experience in national security and diplomacy is critical at this dangerous time in the world.
Moreover, I grew up on a family farm in rural Maryland and now live on and work on one just down the road. My family ties to the Eastern Shore run deep. I value the watermen, farmers, tradespeople, and small business owners who are its lifeblood, and I treasure the Chesapeake Bay and its waterways.
I understand what’s important to First District voters, because their values are and have always been my values and their history is my family’s history.
Democrats rarely find unanimity on every political issue, but we all agree on one thing: Beating Andy Harris and protecting our democracy and institutions are our top priorities in the First District. We cannot afford to lose, and I’m the only Democrat who can beat Andy Harris.
But I need your help. I need to get myself and my message better known. Because the more people get to know me – Democrats and Republicans – the more clearly they see why I can win in November and restore decency and democracy to the First District and beyond. Can you rush in a donation of $30 to my campaign today?
- Dave Harden
Dave Harden is a Democrat running for Maryland's 1st Congressional District. Dave's running to replace Andy Harris and will help the 1st District unlock its extraordinary potential. Support Dave with a donation today.
Paid for by Harden for Congress
Harden for Congress
P.O. Box 584
Hampstead, MD 21074
United States
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