Biography

Representative Andy Harris, born on January 25, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York, is the son of immigrants who fled communist Eastern Europe after World War II. He has served as the U.S. Representative for Maryland's 1st congressional district since 2011 and is the only Republican member of Maryland's congressional delegation. Before his tenure in Congress, Harris was an anesthesiologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital, a medical officer in the Naval Reserve, and a Maryland state senator. In September 2024, he was elected Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Biology from Johns Hopkins University
  • Doctor of Medicine from Johns Hopkins University
  • Master of Health Science in Health Policy and Management from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

• Political Experience:

  • Elected to the Maryland State Senate in 1998, serving until 2011
  • Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, representing Maryland's 1st congressional district
  • Served as Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus since September 2024

Notable Achievements

• Served as a medical officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of Commander and participating in Operation Desert Storm.
• Recognized as a "2021 Beer Champion" by the Beer Institute for his leadership in Congress to ensure the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are based on scientific evidence.
• Played an instrumental role in restoring $60 million in federal funding for the Chesapeake Bay cleanup program.

Harris resides in Dorchester County, Maryland, with his wife, Nicole, and their dog. He is a father of five, stepfather of one, and grandfather to ten. In his free time, he enjoys spending time on the Chesapeake Bay with his family and repairing old cars with his sons.