Republican · North Carolina's 8th District · 2026
Mark Harris
Harris met his wife, Beth, at Appalachian State, where he studied political science before going into ministry.
Biography
Mark Harris and his college sweetheart, Beth, have three adult children and eleven grandchildren.1 He grew up in Winston-Salem and was stuffing campaign envelopes for Jesse Helms and Ronald Reagan as a teenager.2
He earned a political science degree at Appalachian State and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.1 His pastoral career included churches in Clemmons and Augusta, Georgia, before he led First Baptist Church of Charlotte from 2005 to 2017.2 He describes pastoral work that included counseling people facing layoffs and worrying about rent.2 He joined Trinity Baptist Church in Mooresville as senior pastor in 2020.2
Harris served as a Southeastern Seminary trustee from 1999 through 2009 and led the state's Baptist convention from 2011 through 2013.2 He began serving in Congress in January 2025 and sits on Agriculture, Education and Workforce, and Judiciary.31 The House passed his Cashless Bail Reporting Act in May 2026, a proposal for public reporting on jurisdictions releasing people facing certain serious charges without cash bail.4
His current priorities include stronger border security, lower federal spending, support for agriculture and expanded parental rights in education.5 He also supports tax relief and increased domestic energy production.5 He faces Democrat Colby Watson.5
Record and controversies
The 2018 election and criminal inquiry
Harris's apparent victory in the then 9th District in 2018 was never certified, and the State Board of Elections ordered a new election in February 2019 after hearings on an unlawful absentee ballot operation involving campaign contractor McCrae Dowless.67 Harris supported a new election during his testimony, saying public confidence had been undermined.6 In July 2020, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman closed the criminal inquiry into Harris, saying the evidence would not support a criminal case against him.7 Harris said his campaign had cooperated and thanked investigators for restoring his reputation.7