Andy Harris: Do You Know His Name Yet?

Electoral Application

David Mayhews 1974 book titled Congress: The Electoral Connection, argued that the primary goal of members of Congress is to seek reelection.
Members of Congress can have other goals they want to achieve, but reelection is key when it comes to the security of their career.
Mayhew describes three important activities Congress members use to capture the voters attention.
These activities are clear in Andy Harris’s campaign.

Advertising

Advertising is a way for politicians to get their name out in the community and to cultivate their image.
As a virtually unknown Congressman (on a bigger scale), Harris’s biggest asset is his use of social media to get his name out in the open.
Harris’s twitter account has thousands of followers, and he uses it as a platform to advertise what he is doing on a day to day basis.
For example, one of Harris’s more recent tweets is a reminder about a television appearance for the Ben Shapiro Show.
Television interviews and commercials are another way Harris can advertise himself to the public.
His latest commercial can be found on his website, and many of his first commercials when first running for office were relatively light.
The content was mainly centered around Harris and his family, and emphasize his commitment to service rather than taking any political stances for the time being.
Front and center on Harris’s website is a subscription where constituents (or anyone) can sign up recieve the latest news on what Harris is up to.
Also available are questions that can be sent to his office. Commercials, tweets, and television interviews are ways for Harris to connect and seem personable to his viewers.
His repeated use of family pictures and everyday activities presents himself as an ordinary citizen.

Credit Claiming

Credit claiming is a tactic politicians to take credit for the outputs of Congress. It gives the impression they are useful and necessary.
Harris is currently serving on the House Committee on Appropriations.
This committee is responsible for federal funds and oversight on tax dollars.
Harris can report back to his state the various bills he has been involved in passing on this committee that has benefitted his state, even if he is not directly involved.
Another example can be found on Harris’s website, regarding funding for medical marijuana research and alzheimers.
Harris speaks directly, saying he has “championed legislation” in both of these areas to get the job done.
This language can be observed on various issues Harris addresses on his website.
By describing what he has voted and worked on, it is almost impossible to imagine a
functioning government without his presence.

Position Taking

Position taking is exactly what it sounds like. Politicans taking positions on public issues.
Harris has sponsored 37 bills, and cosponsred over 1,000.
The majority of these bills revolve around right to life issues, taxes, and anything presented by the House on Appropriations Committee.
Since Harris is serving a conservative constituency, he is always gauranteed to vote down party lines.
This does give the impression that Harris is only voting to simply appease his constituency, as there has been some backlash by more liberal voters in his area that they do not have a voice.
Harris again uses his social media to establish his stances.
He often uses his twitter to voice his support of Donald Trumps latest rants or opposition to the new House majority.
By showing his constituency that his views align with theirs, it helps to secure his seat when it is time
to run for reelection again.
Harris also utilizes commercials to give short informative videos on where he stands on tax reforms for examples.
Harris uses press releases to demonstrate position taking.
As of now, they currently consist of opposition to the new bill introduced by House Democracts to overturn the national emergency.
However, Harris’s press releases are usually a forum to support any Republican initiatives.