Republican derailed by ballot fraud claims poised for return to Congress

Mark Harris, a North Carolina GOP candidate who was accused of election fraud in a 2018 House race, could be elected this November after he likely won a primary election on Tuesday.

Harris won just over 30 percent of the primary vote on Tuesday in the 8th district in North Carolina, according to The Associated Press, just enough to avoid a runoff if the result is finalized. With a close margin of just 2,800 votes, a recount could be possible.

If Harris is confirmed to have reached at least 30 percent of the vote, he is almost guaranteed to win the general election in November due to the makeup of the Republican-heavy district.

Harris won election to North Carolina’s 9th District in 2018, but the victory was thrown out after a scheme was uncovered alleging an operative gathered and marked absentee ballots on his behalf. 

Harris was not charged in the eventual criminal case, but the contractor was indicted in connection to the alleged scheme. The contractor died before the case went to trial.

Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) eventually won the seat, but now is running to be the state’s attorney general in 2024.

Harris is trying again, running for Congress in an 8th District that covers much of the same area as the previous district due to redistricting. In his campaign announcement, Harris echoed the election denial rhetoric of former President Trump, saying his 2018 race was “stolen.”