Maryland’s only Republican House member was heard telling a woman “you are rude” after she started laughing while he was speaking during a debate.
The clash between Rep. Andy Harris and the audience member unfolded Tuesday in Cambridge as the Republican was talking about rising diesel prices during the U.S.-Iran war.
“Let’s get the facts straight, the facts are that diesel is, the facts are that diesel prices have gone up, there is no question about it. Why has it gone up? Because the Democrats have environmental regulations…” Harris said before he was interrupted by a woman laughing in the audience.
“Ma’am, I gotta tell you. This is the problem, you all say you believe there is a First Amendment, but only if you agree with you,” Harris told the crowd. “You should let me finish the sentence, ma’am. You are rude. You’re rude, OK?”
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Harris then turned to the debate moderator and said, “I’m sorry,” adding that if she wasn’t going tell the audience they were rude, he had to do it himself.
“Let me finish the sentence why there is a shortage of diesel in the world and in the country,” Harris continued, before another audience member started talking.
“You are rude too. So do you believe in the First Amendment? Do you believe in my First Amendment right to express myself? It’s my turn to express myself, not yours,” Harris said.
Harris, who has represented Maryland’s 1st Congressional District since 2010, is running for re-election against Democrat challenger Dan Schwartz.
The debate moderator then asked both candidates to speak to their supporters and ask them to be “polite and respectful” during the debate.
“That is very important that you guys are able to hear from both of us tonight, so please if you don’t mind, let’s keep all reactions for later when you get home and let’s let the congressman speak,” Schwartz said.
When it was Harris’ turn, he said, “You don’t need to hear it from me because my people aren’t interfering with Mr. Schwartz, it’s only one way.”