Perhaps only in this rather surreal election year, which 2016 has turned out to be, is it possible to see 1st District Congressman Andy Harris, one of the key members of the extreme right of center House Freedom Caucus, be challenged in his own party for this year’s primary election. And not be one opponent, but by three other candidates who protested that Harris is too moderate. Go figure.
And that’s precisely what the League of Women Voters decided to do for the 2016 election at Chesapeake College yesterday afternoon. The League invited all four of them, as well as two Democrats, to participate in their traditional pre-election program where those in the race can answer prepared questions from LWV members as well as those from the audience.
Before the discussion, however, there was a big last minute snag for the Democratic candidate and former mayor of Salisbury, Jim Ireton. Because his opponent, Joe Werner, did not appear as promised, Ireton fell victim to League policy which does not allow only one candidate from a party to participate without the others in the race present.
On the Republican side, Harris is being challenged by Republican opponents Michael Smigiel, a former state delegate and Cecil resident; Sean Jackson, a commander of the State Police; and Jonathan Goff, a Harford resident who also challenged Harris in 2014.
The Spy covered the Republican portion of the program and later interviewed Ireton afterward for his comments on the issues covered.
These videos are approximately 45 minutes each in length.
Part One
Part Two
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