Rev. Mark Harris has successfully clinched the Republican nomination for a U.S. House seat in North Carolina’s 8th District, narrowly edging out Allan Baucom to avoid a runoff. This triumph offers Harris a shot at redemption and a return to the political forefront after his 2018 campaign was marred by an absentee ballot scandal. Though the scandal led to investigations and convictions, Harris himself faced no charges, cooperated with authorities, and advocated for a new election, which he ultimately did not contest. The district, designed to favor Republicans, sets the stage for a November face-off between Harris and Democrat Justin Dues.
In his campaign, Harris has characterized the 2018 scandal as a “manufactured” controversy, framing it as part of Democratic efforts to undermine conservative candidates. His victory signals a potential shift in North Carolina’s political landscape, with the state’s primary elections indicating a likely Republican advantage in several districts due to recent redistricting by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.
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