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U.S. Representative · Congressional District 1 · Maryland · 2026 Primary
A U.S. Representative serves as your district's voice in Congress, where they vote on federal laws, national budgets, and policies that impact daily life. They are responsible for securing federal funding for local infrastructure and helping residents resolve issues with federal agencies, such as the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs. This office matters because it ensures your community’s specific needs and priorities are represented in the national government.
View all candidates in this raceDan Schwartz is a 37-year-old Democrat and career consumer watchdog running for Maryland's 1st Congressional District. A resident of Bellevue in Talbot County, Schwartz has spent over 14 years working with state and federal regulators to protect consumers from financial misconduct and fraud following the 2008 financial crisis. He describes himself as a "regular guy" and a "different kind of Democrat" who believes in protecting working-class families from corporate greed and government waste. His platform focuses on holding monthly town halls, banning members of Congress from trading stocks, and reversing policies he views as harmful to Maryland's economy, such as specific tariffs and spending freezes. Schwartz emphasizes his personal connection to local issues through his wife, a family nurse practitioner, noting the challenges of rising prescription costs and limited healthcare access in the region.
Sources: Campaign website
Running for Congress wasn’t part of the plan. But these aren’t normal times. Dan is a regular guy who loves his family, community and our country.
Dan is a consumer watchdog who has worked to hold financial institutions accountable and put money back into the pockets of consumers. He’s a Democrat more than ready to help Marylanders fight back against MAGA extremists in Congress.
Dan believes in letting the hard-working people of Maryland keep more of what they earn while protecting what makes our state special.
Support a ban on members of Congress trading equities, options, and crypto. He will represent you, not use inside information to enrich himself.
@rep.harris (MD-01) runs the “Freedom Caucus” but is the loudest anti-cannabis voice in congress. How is that freedom?
Source: schwartzforcongress.com
Government Ethics
Banning members of Congress from financial trading to prevent self-enrichment and restoring trust through transparency.
“Support a ban on members of Congress trading equities, options, and crypto. He will represent you, not use inside information to enrich himself.”
Healthcare
Protecting access to affordable care, reducing prescription drug costs, and reversing cuts to public health research.
“Improve and protect access to affordable healthcare and support vital public health research that’s been recklessly cut by the Trump Administration and DOGE.”
Consumer Protection
Holding financial institutions accountable and fighting corporate greed and scams.
“Fight grift in Washington and protect consumers from corporate greed.”
Economic Development
Opposing tariffs and spending freezes that impact the agricultural sector and cost of living.
“Fight dangerous Trump policies like spending freezes and unnecessary tariffs that cripple the state’s farmers and result in higher costs of living for Maryland residents.”
Infrastructure
Ensuring the safety of vital public systems including bridges and airlines.
“Restore public safety and trust in government by supporting and strengthening the vital programs that keep our water, food, bridges, and airlines safe.”
External reports describe Schwartz as a banking and consumer policy specialist who is building a coalition of "concerned conservatives," Democrats, and independents to challenge incumbent Andy Harris. Media coverage highlights his focus on the cost of living, immigration, and education, as well as his intent to make the race a national critique of Harris's alignment with the Trump administration. He is noted for his efforts to visit all 11 counties in the district, including attending farm meetings and civic clubs.
“Support a ban on members of Congress trading equities, options, and crypto.”
Source“Fight dangerous Trump policies like... unnecessary tariffs that cripple the state’s farmers.”
Source“Improve and protect access to affordable healthcare and support vital public health research.”
Source“strengthening the vital programs that keep our water, food, bridges, and airlines safe.”
Source“Invest in Maryland’s future and protect its environment so working families can live in our state.”
Source“Cutting waste, fraud, and unnecessary bureaucracy is crucial to achieving economic development.”
Source