Born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Mark Harris is the embodiment of faith, family, and dedication to service. The youngest of five children, Mark grew up imbibing the virtues of hard work, patriotism, and community involvement, inspired by parents who served as exemplary pillars of service.

About | Mark Harris for Congress

Mark's journey is marked by purpose and calling. An Appalachian State University graduate with a B.S. in Political Science, his path took a divine turn when he felt a call to ministry just before marrying his college sweetheart, Beth. Embracing this calling, he earned his Master's of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Mark Harris is originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Science in political science from Appalachian State University and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry in Christian leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In his pastoral roles across North Carolina and Georgia, Mark's leadership was transformative. From overseeing significant growth at Center Grove Baptist in Clemmons, NC, to streamlining educational structures at Curtis Baptist in Augusta, Georgia, his impact was profound. As the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Charlotte, despite economic downturns, Mark spearheaded efforts that revitalized the church's infrastructure without incurring debt.

He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Appalachian State University in 1987. He earned a master's degree in divinity and a Ph.D. in Christian leadership from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Harris’s career experience includes working as a pastor. He served as a trustee of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and on the board of directors of the Biblical Recorder.

Mark Harris (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia

Mark Harris has worked as a pastor, including as senior pastor at First Baptist Charlotte and in pastoral roles at Center Grove Baptist and Curtis Baptist.

Mark Harris (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing North Carolina's 8th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2025. His current term ends on January 3, 2027.

General election
Mark Harris defeated Justin Dues in the general election for U.S. House North Carolina District 8 on November 5, 2024.

Mark serves as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 8th Congressional District. He was elected in 2024 and assumed office on January 3, 2025.

2026 North Carolina General Election

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

“	1) We have got to get our national debt under control. We must pass budgets that are responsible and funds our priorities (IE Military and Border Security) without funding all special interests and frivolous causes (IE Planned Parenthood and foreign aid to countries who hate us). I think a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution would be a great place to start.


2) We must enact term limits. I believe this is the only way to break the backs of the special interests and lobbyist in Washington DC.
3) Repeal and Replace Obamacare. Congress has promised to fix this national disaster known as Obamacare. It has been a burden on small business and individuals across the country. We need a more free market, patient driven healthcare system that lowers cost and increases access for those seeking care. We can start by promoting HSA's and allowing people to buy insurance across state lines.[7][4]

	”

Calls for responsible federal budgets and a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget to address the national debt.

Calls for a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget to address the national debt.

- Calls for a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget to address the national debt.

Economy

Enforcing Laws, Ensuring Safer Communities

A society that fails to uphold its laws emboldens those who break them. Mark firmly believes that the foundation of a safe community is the unwavering enforcement of our laws. By holding criminals accountable and championing rigorous law enforcement, Mark is dedicated to ensuring that every North Carolinian can live, work, and thrive in a secure and peaceful environment.

Issues | Mark Harris for Congress

Supports rigorous law enforcement and holding people who commit crimes accountable.

- Supports rigorous law enforcement and holding people who commit crimes accountable.

Public Safety

Harris did not respond to this question, however he pledged not to support cuts to Medicare in a 2018 candidate survey conducted by NC Health News.

“The first thing we’ve got to state upfront is that we cannot and will not cut benefits for our seniors for Social Security and Medicare,” Harris said at the time. “[For] anyone that is receiving it [or] nearing retirement, we’ve got to make sure that the plan is solid.”

Mark Harris | North Carolina Health News

Harris did not respond to this question, but he did answer a similar question about prescription drug costs in the 2018 NC Health News survey.

“I think that we [need to] break up the pharmaceutical industry that’s had somewhat of a monopoly on the pricing of so many of these drugs,” he said at the time. “There’s a backlog of medications that, if I understand it, get out there, but it takes forever to get approval for them. The more that we have out there that can be prescribed […and] the more competition, the more the price comes down.”

ISSUES
Pro Life and Pro Family

Mark fervently believes in the sanctity of all human life, from conception to natural end. A pivotal figure in the pro-life movement, he asserts that every life is invaluable. Mark is also a stalwart defender of traditional family values, having led the charge for the 2012 marriage amendment and consistently advocating for measures that uphold the foundations of our families.

Proposes repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act with a market-based system, including health savings accounts and interstate insurance sales.

Said he would not cut Social Security or Medicare benefits for current or near-retirement beneficiaries.

In 2018, said he would not cut Social Security or Medicare benefits for current or near-retirement beneficiaries.

Said pharmaceutical competition and faster approval of medications could reduce prescription-drug prices.

Believes human life is sacred from conception through natural death.

- Proposes repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act with a market-based system, including health savings accounts and interstate insurance sales.
- In 2018, said he would not cut Social Security or Medicare benefits for current or near-retirement beneficiaries.
- Said pharmaceutical competition and faster approval of medications could reduce prescription-drug prices.
- Believes human life is sacred from conception through natural death.

Healthcare

Empowering Teachers, Ensuring Choice

While Mark firmly supports a strong public education system, he believes parents, not the Federal Government, should have the final say in how to educate their children. Whether public, private, charter, or homeschool, families should have full freedom to choose what works best for their children. Every child should have an opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed in the career path they choose. Mark will fight for policies that focus on local control, and maximum flexibility, and ensure that students have the most educational opportunities available to them.

Supports parent-directed education choices, including public, private, charter, and homeschool options, with local control and flexibility.

- Supports parent-directed education choices, including public, private, charter, and homeschool options, with local control and flexibility.

Education

As of January 5, 2026, Mark Harris’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Prioritizing National Security with Strong Borders

Our nation's safety and sovereignty hinge upon robust border security. Mark asserts that the current state of our borders, exacerbated by Biden's weak border policies, has created unprecedented challenges for our nation. He is committed to fortifying our borders, supporting advanced technology, and rigorously enforcing our immigration laws to protect American citizens and preserve our nation's integrity.

Fortifying Our Nation, Honoring Our Heroes

Mark, drawing inspiration from his father's WWII experiences, is unwavering in his commitment to a robust national defense. He emphasizes the need for a formidable military that deters threats, stands with allies, and above all, honors the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women, both during and after their service.

Committed to strengthening border security through technology and enforcement of immigration laws.

Supports a strong military to deter threats, support allies, and honor service members and veterans.

- Committed to strengthening border security through technology and enforcement of immigration laws.
- Supports a strong military to deter threats, support allies, and honor service members and veterans.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Voting & Elections

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Mark Harris

- Believes human life is sacred from conception through natural death.

Mark is a U.S. Representative. He works at the U.S. House of Representatives, where he has been since January 3, 2019. He previously worked as a senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Charlotte and at Trinity Baptist Church in Iredell County.

Mark Harris | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

Mark Harris Is Not Asking For Forgiveness

Mark Harris is currently a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing North Carolina's 8th Congressional District. He was elected in 2024 and has served one term. He also ran for the U.S. House in North Carolina's 9th Congressional District in 2016 and did not win.

Supports getting national debt under control.

No public record detailing Mark Harris's position on the economy was found.

Supports unwavering law enforcement and holding criminals accountable to ensure a safe and peaceful community for all North Carolinians.

Opposes access to abortion and believes in the sanctity of life from conception to natural end.

Supports a strong public education system while advocating for parental choice in education, emphasizing local control and flexibility for families to select the best educational options for their children.

No public record detailing Mark Harris's position on education was found.

Supports addressing PFAS contamination while balancing public safety and business interests.

Supports immigration and border security, emphasizing the importance of religious liberty.

Supports enacting term limits for elected officials.

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- Your U.S. representative represents the interests of your district in the U.S. House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. North Carolina currently has 14 U.S. representatives.
- U.S. representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become federal law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain areas of policy, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the speaker of the house or majority/minority leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms and there are no term limits. U.S. representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.
-  Representatives must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen for seven years, and an inhabitant of the state from which he or she is elected. 

Your representative and federal lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives.