Dear Friends,
We just filed our quarterly fundraising totals with the Federal Election Commission. With your help, I was able to maintain the tremendous momentum we had leading up to the primary by raising just over $400,000, more than twice what my Democratic opponent brought in. Needless to say, this was a great start toward my goal of raising $1.2 million for the General election. Thank you for your support and assistance.
I want to take a moment to discuss a pressing issue that is facing all of us, especially in the business world – the economy. There is no doubt that the United States is weathering an economic downturn. Gas prices are at all time highs, inflation is at near-term record levels, and everyone – families as well as businesses – are finding it harder and harder to meet the financial bottom line. To help Maryland's families and businesses, just this week, I called on Martin O'Malley to call a Special Session in order to suspend the state gas tax from Memorial Day through Labor Day, just as John McCain has requested for the federal tax. This would help alleviate our pains at the pump, particularly during the summer driving and vacation season. Funds could be transferred from other sources in Annapolis so that road building and improvement would not be affected.
As Congressman, I plan to make "reviving the economy" one of my top priorities in Washington, DC. I want to cut spending and reduce taxes so that individuals and businesses can re-energize this economy. One huge difference between me and my liberal opponent is that he believes that Big Government is the solution to our economic woes, and I believe it is the problem. My philosophy of less spending, less taxes and less government means more money in the pockets of families and entrepreneurs. That was Ronald Reagan's successful philosophy, and it will be mine when I serve in Congress. Throughout the next 6 months I will be outlining my policies on the economy, so please stay tuned and check my website (www.andyharris.com) for updates.
My opponent was hand-picked by Martin O'Malley to run for this seat, and he is being backed by Nancy Pelosi. He has said on many occasions that he believes in O'Malley's style of governing, and would like to be Governor O'Malley's ally in Washington. The last thing we need is another tax and spend liberal like Martin O'Malley roaming the halls of Congress.
If you are interested in contributing to my campaign or would like to host a fundraiser for me, please contact my Finance Director Dave Schwartz at (443) 797-5144. Thanks again for your support and I hope to see you on the campaign trail!
Andy
PS – I have attached some recent articles on the campaign below…feel free to forward them to friends and family! If you would like to contribute to my campaign please click here:
www.andyharris.com.
Harris leads in fundraising in 1st
Republican takes in twice rival's total
By Bradley Olson | Sun reporter
April 15, 2008
Republican state Sen. Andy Harris raised nearly twice as much as Democratic Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank Kratovil Jr. during the past two months in the race for Maryland's 1st Congressional District, according to figures released yesterday by the campaigns and the Federal Election Commission.
Harris brought in more than $400,000 in contributions, compared with about $190,000 for Kratovil, during the final three weeks leading up to the Feb. 12 primary and the period through March 31. The totals include money raised for the primary and the November general election.
Those figures underscore a potentially huge fundraising advantage Harris has developed since winning the Republican primary by a surprisingly comfortable margin over nine-term incumbent Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest and fellow state Sen. E.J. Pipkin. The race was described as one of the most expensive and bitterly contested primaries in the nation.
Including the most recent totals, his campaign has raised nearly $1.5 million and spent about $1.3 million, with $204,000 on hand.
Kratovil also won by a wide margin over an aide to a former congressman who represented the district, which includes the Eastern Shore and parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford counties. Kratovil has raised a total of about $430,000 and has about $180,000 on hand, according to a campaign spokesman.
The Harris campaign seized upon the figures as an indication of the Baltimore County anesthesiologist's advantage going into the November contest.
"Doubling our opponent's fundraising totals clearly shows the Andy Harris campaign is gaining momentum heading into the general election," said Chris Meekins, Harris' campaign manager. "Andy's message of lowering taxes and decreasing wasteful government spending to stimulate economic growth is resonating with voters and donors."
Erik Gulbrandsen, Kratovil's spokesman, said the campaign was "pleased" with the figures - noting both campaigns have similar amounts of money in the bank.
"We feel we're on track to wage a competitive campaign," he said.
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Harris Calls For Gas Tax RepealThursday, April 17, 2008
WBAL Radio and Associated Press
Harris called Thursday for Governor O'Malley to call a special session of the General Assembly to suspend the state's gas tax this summer to help motorists facing high fuel prices.
Harris told WBAL's C4 Show today that the state can afford to suspend the gas tax, since there is unspent money in a number of state funds.
The state's gas tax is 23.5-cents-a-gallon.
If the governor calls a special session, it would have to be held at some place other than the State House, since that building is closed until January for repairs.
Lawmakers this year also agreed to take $250-million from the state's transportation fund over the next five years to make up for money that would have been generated by the state's computer service tax.
That fund is made up of gas tax money.
Dave Schwartz
Andy Harris for Congress
PO Box 1527
Annapolis, MD 21404
(443) 797-5144 - c
www.andyharris08.com
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