By Adam Pagnucco.
A group of state legislators including 13 State Senators and 71 Delegates has called on District 1 Congressman Andy Harris to resign. In a letter addressed to Harris, the legislators tell him, “You have for months joined in cynical, politically motivated attempts to undermine the legitimate, free, and fair election that selected Joe Biden as the next President of the United States. You have joined with those who have trafficked in lies and conspiracy theories, who have incited division and hate, in the furtherance of a political agenda.” They conclude, “You have done enough harm to our country and our state, Representative. It is time for you to go, and for a person who will serve Marylanders with honor to take your place.”
Every member of MoCo’s state delegation except for Senator Craig Zucker (D-14), Senator Susan Lee (D-16), Senator Cheryl Kagan (D-17), Senator Nancy King (D-39) and Delegate Kumar Barve (D-17) signed the letter.
The letter is reprinted below.
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Representative Andrew P. Harris
Maryland’s 1st Congressional District
2334 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Representative Harris,
The foundational principle of our nation is democracy. The right of Americans to select their leaders is and should be inviolate. It is a right that all of us who serve in public office are sworn to uphold and protect in our oaths of office.
That oath is a sacred commitment to all Marylanders, and all Americans. It is an oath that requires us to support the democratic process in both words and actions. It is an oath that requires that we always put loyalty to our Constitution and our country above loyalty to any political party, candidate, or elected official.
Representative Harris, we believe that you have violated that oath. You have for months joined in cynical, politically motivated attempts to undermine the legitimate, free, and fair election that selected Joe Biden as the next President of the United States. You have joined with those who have trafficked in lies and conspiracy theories, who have incited division and hate, in the furtherance of a political agenda.
Our nation watched in horror on January 6th as a seditious mob, riled up and fueled by Donald Trump and his loyalists, assaulted the very seat of American democracy. As they tore into the marble halls that have been worn by the steps of our greatest leaders, the walls that have borne witness to our most profound national debates. As one of America’s most sacred spaces was desecrated, and as a member of the United States Capitol Police who was defending it was murdered.
These insurrectionists were motivated by the very rhetoric and disinformation that you and far too many of your colleagues have been trafficking in for months. Any student of the history of the United States knows that words have the power to move nations and citizens. Words like, “We the people.” Words also like, “Stand back, and stand by.”
Rather than recognizing that your words and behavior in office have damaged our democracy, have threatened our Constitution, and have undermined the nation you are sworn to, your response to the attack on our Capitol was to continue to use the same words and behavior. To vote with too many of your colleagues to undermine a free and fair election. To give comfort to the enemies of democracy within our borders and around the world.
We, the undersigned members of the Maryland General Assembly, believe that you have disgraced yourself, your state, and your country. We have heard from constituents who would like us to pass a resolution of censure against you. As our censure process is reserved for members of our body, we are not able to do so. But we add our voices to the chorus of your constituents who have called for you to resign.
You have done enough harm to our country and our state, Representative. It is time for you to go, and for a person who will serve Marylanders with honor to take your place.
Sincerely,
Delegate Carol Krimm
Delegate Karen Lewis Young
Delegate Ken Kerr
Delegate Carl Jackson
Delegate Harry Bhandari
Delegate Benjamin Brooks
Senator Delores Kelley
Delegate Jon Cardin
Delegate Lisa Belcastro
Delegate Dana Stein
Senator Shelly Hettleman
Delegate Jessica Feldmark
Delegate Eric Ebersole
Delegate Terri Hill
Senator Clarence Lam
Delegate Shane Pendergrass
Delegate Jen Terrasa
Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary
Delegate Eric Luedtke
Delegate Pamela Queen
Delegate Anne Kaiser
Delegate Kathleen Dumais
Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo
Delegate Lily Qi
Senator Brian Feldman
Delegate Marc Korman
Delegate Sara Love
Delegate Ariana Kelly
Delegate Julie Palakovich-Carr
Delegate Jim Gilchrist
Delegate Emily Shetty
Delegate Al Carr
Delegate Jared Solomon
Senator Jeff Waldstreicher
Delegate Bonnie Cullison
Senator Benjamin Kramer
Delegate Vaughn Stewart
Delegate Charlotte Crutchfield
Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins
Delegate Lorig Charkoudian
Delegate David Moon
Senator Will Smith
Delegate Ben Barnes
Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk
Delegate Mary Lehman
Delegate Alonzo Washington
Delegate Nicole Williams
Senator Paul Pinsky
Delegate Marvin Holmes
Delegate Andrea Harrison
Delegate Jazz Lewis
Delegate Kriselda Valderrama
Delegate Michael Jackson
Delegate Edith Patterson
Delegate Debra Davis
Delegate Brian Crosby
Delegate Shaneka Henson
Delegate Dana Jones
Senator Sarah Elfreth
Delegate Mark Chang
Delegate Mike Rogers
Delegate Sandy Bartlett
Senator Pamela Beidle
Delegate Heather Bagnall
Delegate Kirill Reznik
Delegate Gabriel Acevero
Delegate Lesley Lopez
Delegate Melissa Wells
Delegate Marlon Amprey
Delegate Michele Guyton
Delegate Regina T. Boyce
Delegate Maggie Mcintosh
Senator Mary Washington
Delegate Pat Young
Delegate Sheila Ruth
Senator Charles Sydnor
Delegate Stephanie Smith
Senator Cory McCray
Delegate Luke Clippinger
Delegate Brooke Lierman
Delegate Robbyn Lewis
Delegate Diana Fennell
Delegate Julian Ivey
Delegate Wanika Fisher
