Republican Representative Andy Harris lashed out on Tuesday night during a debate with Democrat Dan Schwartz in Maryland when he was laughed at for his comments about gas prices.
The debate was hosted by the League of Women Voters in Cambridge in Maryland’s First Congressional District, which Harris has represented since 2011. The debate mostly focused on issues that affect the district, from aging bridges to the poultry industry and offshore wind projects. But, as the debate continued, the audience interrupted Harris multiple times.
Tensions boiled over when the candidates were asked about the Trump administration's deal with Russia over diesel. After Schwartz criticized the move, Harris turned to the reason diesel prices have risen.
"The facts are diesel prices have gone up. There’s no question about it. Why has it gone up? Because the Democrats' environmental regulations have not—," Harris said. He was then cut off by laughter, shouts and groans from the audience.
But Harris hit back. "See, this is the problem," he said to the audience. "You say you all believe there’s First Amendment but only if you agree with you. You should let me finish the sentence, ma’am. You are rude."
The debate moderator attempted to calm the audience, and as chatter and laughter continued, Harris pointed at another audience member, telling them "You’re rude too," before they hit back and said: "You started it."
Eventually, Schwartz also weighed in to keep the debate civil. "It’s very important that you guys are able to hear from both of us tonight," he said.
While Harris did not finish his explanation, federal energy officials have attributed the recent surge in diesel prices to other factors. The U.S. Energy Information Administration said in September that tight global supplies of distillate fuel and elevated crude-oil prices had driven prices higher in recent months, with reduced refining activity in Russia, China and the Middle East contributing to the shortage.
Wendell Meekins is a Dorchester County farmer in Maryland’s First Congressional District, with approximately 30 years of experience. Meekins told WBOC television station that his operation was spending more than $2,000 daily on fuel during harvest, compounding losses from drought-related crop damage.
“This is just a further cut into your profit, which is making it hard to come out ahead,” Meekins added.
Newsweek reached out to Harris via email for comment and awaits a response.
Harris Favored To Win Ninth Term
Harris is seeking a ninth term in Maryland’s 1st Congressional District in the upcoming midterms. A prominent ally of President Donald Trump, Harris also serves as the chair of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus.
His opponent, Dan Schwartz, is the Democratic nominee for the district after winning the Democratic primary on June 23.
Schwartz is running heavily on affordability and consumer protection, as well as opposition to tariffs, protection of Medicaid and restrictions on congressional stock trading.
Public polling in the race is sparse. A Democratic-sponsored poll from July 23 to 27, surveying 482 likely voters in Maryland’s 1st Congressional District, put Harris 13 points ahead, 52 percent to 39 percent. Prediction market Kalshi currently gives Harris roughly a 92 percent implied probability of winning, although market prices reflect traders’ expectations rather than a guaranteed outcome.
Gas Prices Are a Midterms Flash Point
While Harris was specifically discussing diesel, both diesel and regular gasoline prices have risen sharply this year, and are likely to be a key factor in the upcoming midterm elections.
Gas prices have risen in every state where Democrats and Republicans are battling for control of a U.S. Senate seat since the war in Iran began. It is an issue that could leave Republican candidates and incumbents in trouble.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll of 4,506 adults found that a bipartisan majority (78 percent) blames the Trump administration’s policies for higher costs, including 64 percent of GOP voters. The poll had a two-point margin of error overall.
The national average price for gas has risen by more than 46 percent since late February, from roughly $2.98 a gallon to around $4.36, according to AAA data. In Maryland, the increase has been similarly steep, with the average price for regular gasoline rising about 43 percent, from $2.975 a gallon on February 26 to $4.259 on October 13, according to AAA.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Rebecca Flood and James Debens