Mark Harris, the GOP contender in North Carolina’s uncalled 9th Congressional District race, has opted not to run in the special election ordered by state officials after an election fraud scandal.
The North Carolina pastor who ousted incumbent Rep. Robert Pittenger in the last primary cycle cited health concerns caused by the legal battles he and his campaign faced during the certification process for the election. Harris confirmed in a prepared statement that he will be undergoing surgery next month.
“Given my health situation, the need to regain full strength, and the timing of this surgery the last week of March, I have decided not to file in the new election for Congressional District 9.”
In the statement, Harris did not disclose his medical diagnosis and said he would “respect” his family’s desire for privacy and not do any interviews.
Harris also endorsed a potential new challenger in the race — Union County Commissioner Stony Rushing.
“His background and his experience have proven him to stand firm on so many of the issues that concern us, including the issue of life, our national security, and religious freedom. I hope that those who have stood with me will strongly consider getting behind Stony Rushing,” Harris said.
The move will trigger a new primary process for the Republicans, opening the path for a possible the three-term former congressman Pittenger run to regain his congressional seat. But with the change of the election’s course, he declined to comment when asked by WBTV in Charlotte, N.C., if he was considering jumping back into the race.
Dan McCready, trailed Harris by only 905 votes in the unofficial general election unofficial tally, is expected to remain the on the ballot for the Democrats.
Last week, the North Carolina Board of Elections ordered a new election for the congressional seat, bringing to a close a months-long investigation into election fraud allegations against the Harris campaign. The new election will be the first time a race for a U.S. House seat will be re-done since the 1970’s.
During four days of hearings last week that preceded the new election order, witnesses said an operative who worked for Harris took part in a scheme illegally collecting and falsifying absentee ballots. Harris denied any personal wrongdoing and called for a new election to move forward.
The state board ultimately voted 5-0 to call a new election for the seat.
