RALEIGH — Republican Mark Harris has defeated Democrat Justin Dues to become the next congressman for North Carolina’s 8th District.
While results are still unofficial, Harris has taken in over 62% of the vote at this time.
Harris advanced to the General Election after winning the six candidate-deep Mary 5 Primary with just over 30% of the vote. He will take the place of Rep. Dan Bishop, who is running for North Carolina attorney general this cycle.
This is Harris’ second bid for a congressional seat after his 2018 win against Democrat Dan McCready for the state’s 9th District ended up being overturned and a special election was held in 2019. The special election followed a probe into absentee ballot harvesting ring in Bladen County was discovered which involving a man named Dowless McCrae, who is now deceased. Harris was cleared in the probe.
Harris obtained his Bachelor’s from Appalachian State University and Master’s degree in Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he also earned a Ph.D. in Christian Leadership. He has served as a pastor in both Georgia and North Carolina as well as a past Senior Pastor at First Baptist Charlotte.