Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Harris led Democrat Colby Watson by 5,179 votes in North Carolina's 8th Congressional District, with all 193 precincts reporting in unofficial State Board of Elections returns checked Nov. 4.
The North State Journal reported Harris won reelection. The result has not been certified.
- Mark Harris, Republican: 147,094 votes (50.39%).
- Colby Watson, Democrat: 141,915 votes (48.62%).
- Bo Whitehead, Green: 2,890 votes (0.99%).
The 291,899-vote total covers the entire district, including its Mecklenburg County precincts. It is not a tally for Ballantyne or Mecklenburg alone. Decision Desk HQ's results page showed the same candidate totals when checked Nov. 4.
About the candidates
Harris won the district in 2024 and sought a second two-year term. The North State Journal reported that his first-term committee assignments included Agriculture, Education and the Workforce, and Judiciary.
Watson describes himself in his campaign biography as a Union County native and small-business owner with experience in construction and farming. His campaign emphasized housing affordability, health care and government accountability.
Results remain unofficial
Harris's lead is about 1.77% of total votes in the contest, above the 1% threshold for a losing candidate to demand a recount in a nonstatewide race. That eligibility is based on the official count, not an election-night snapshot.
County canvasses are set for Nov. 13 and the state canvass for Nov. 24, according to the State Board's election primer. Reporting from every precinct does not mean the canvass is complete; eligible outstanding ballots and routine checks can still alter the unofficial totals.
