Rep. Andy Harris told a Maryland reporter she could not record him on Tuesday evening. He warned that if she recorded, he would refer her to the prosecutor. Following a debate against his 2026 challenger, Dan Schwartz, this occurred. The incident occurred in Cambridge, Maryland, during a press gaggle.
Harris spoke to a reporter from the Capital News Service named Cat Murphy. She pushed back and said everyone in the room was recording. Harris responded by pointing at her and said, “But you are not allowed to.” He added that they are in a two-party state and she is not allowed to record. He refused to give her permission.
Other journalists at the scene supported Murphy. One reporter told Harris, “With due respect, this is a public forum.” Harris questioned the journalists and asked if they knew the law. He claimed he actually knows the law well. Murphy tried to ask about the war in Iran, but Harris asked for a police officer before leaving. He said she was violating the law on two-party recording.
The confrontation followed a moment where voters laughed at Harris during the debate. He was discussing why diesel prices have gone up. He blamed Democrats’ environmental regulations for the cost increase. Before he could finish his sentence, a woman in the audience interrupted with loud laughter. Harris told the woman to let him finish and called her rude.
The debate moderator asked candidates to ensure their supporters were civil. Schwartz told his supporters they must be able to hear from both candidates. The debate covered topics like energy prices and infrastructure. Harris has led in the limited polling for the 2026 race. According to reports, his seat counts as Solid Republican.
Legal experts note that Maryland’s two-party consent law applies to private conversations. The national Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press notes this covers in-person talks. Harris claimed the reporter was breaking this law. The interaction was reported by The Baltimore Banner and the Washington Examiner.
Harris has won his last election by over 22 percentage points. He is an eight-term incumbent representing Maryland’s 1st Congressional District. The debate was moderated by the League of Women Voters. The tension between the media and Harris escalated quickly after the debate ended.
Harris’s seat was a target for Democrats seeking to redistrict Maryland.
