I understand our challenges

Maryland lawmakers are meeting now to determine the state’s congressional district map for the next ten years. But no matter how the final map is drawn our district, the Maryland First, will remain predominantly rural. So an important question for Maryland Democrats to consider in the primary next June is: Which candidate can win rural voters and beat Andy Harris? {NAME}, Maryland lawmakers are meeting now to determine the state’s congressional district map for the next ten years. But no matter how the final map is drawn our district, the Maryland First, will remain predominantly rural. So an important question for Maryland Democrats to consider in the primary next June is: Which candidate can win rural voters and beat Andy Harris? [Before I get into it, can you spare a few bucks to help my campaign's December fundraising?]( Last month’s election results showed that voters in rural districts, especially independents and Republicans who don’t like Donald Trump, are still conservative, care most about bread-and-butter issues, and remain leery of Democrats who they see as stuck in a political bubble and out of touch with regular people. Rural voters showed a strong preference for candidates who were new to politics and came from financial and business backgrounds. They supported candidates who spoke to what mattered to them. I understand the rural voters of the First because I’m one of them. I grew up on a farm in the district (or at least in the district as it’s currently drawn) and I live there now. I understand our culture and our economy because my family, friends, and I lived it. Agriculture, small business, saving the Chesapeake aren’t political points to me, they’re personal. They are in my DNA. I have spent my career creating business and economic development opportunities in underdeveloped areas overseas. My message to First district voters is this: I can do the same here. I believe that as a member of Congress, improving our economy is my primary responsibility to the people of the First, because I believe that’s what will help them the most. My campaign emphasizes economic issues: --Helping small businesses by eliminating unnecessary regulations and making it easier to do business. --Protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its waterways, the lifeblood of our district. --Using new infrastructure funding to improve transportation systems and expand broadband service as soon as possible to connect our rural residents and businesses with the modern economy and improve educational opportunities for our students. --Establishing a technology proving ground to test innovations in climate-friendly technologies and launch initiatives to research, design, build, and sell technology solutions to the world. --Encouraging microeconomies like wineries, breweries, organic farms, and agrotourism. Programs like this will create business and jobs for our district and put it in the forefront of the new economy – and voters will get that. Moreover, I’m a political newcomer. You won’t see me posing with many familiar old politicians and getting a lot of endorsements from insiders because they don’t know me – yet. Fair or not, in rural areas government and politicians are perceived as part of the problem. Fresh faces with new ideas and few political connections do well in districts like ours. I understand the First district and its people because it’s been my home. No matter how the map is redrawn, it’s going to be a hard fight for a Democrat. Every seat in Congress is important for the Democrats to stop Republicans, like Andy Harris, from undermining our precious institutions like the right to vote and stealing our democracy. We need to win. I know I can. [Join me by chipping in to my campaign today!]( Dave Harden Dave Harden is a Democrat running for Maryland's 1st Congressional District. Dave's running to replace Andy Harris and will help the 1st District unlock its extraordinary potential. Support Dave with a donation today. [CONTRIBUTE MONTHLY ]( Paid for by Harden for Congress Harden for Congress P.O. Box 584 Hampstead, MD 21074 United States If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please [unsubscribe](.