ROCKINGHAM— Mark Harris will not be running in the election redo for the 9th Congressional District.
In a statement issued early Tuesday afternoon, Harris cited his poor health for his decision not to run.
“After consulting with my physicians, there are several things that my health situation requires as a result of the extremely serious condition that I faced in mid-January,” he said. “One of those is a necessary surgery that is now scheduled for the last week in March.
“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,” Harris continued. “While few things in my life have brought me more joy than getting to meet and know the people of this incredible part of North Carolina, and while I have been overwhelmed by the honor of their support for me as the Congressman-elect of NC-9, I owe it to Beth, my children and my six grandchildren to make the wisest decision for my health.
“I also owe it to the citizens of the Ninth District to have someone at full strength during the new campaign. It is my hope that in the upcoming primary, a solid conservative leader will emerge to articulate the critical issues that face our nation.”
Harris called for a new election last week during an evidentiary hearing by the N.C. State Board of Elections regarding election fraud through ballot harvesting in Bladen County by McRae Dowless, who was hired by the Harris campaign.
A law passed by the General Assembly late last year calls for a party primary as part of the new election process.
As of Monday, several Republicans had hinted that they might give it a go, but made no definite declarations. Former governor Pat McCrory announced that he would not seek the congressional office.
Harris’ challengers in the race, Democrat Dan McCready and Libertarian Jeff Scott, have both said they will be running.
