Mark Harris
Republican | North Carolina
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark Harris
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist 8
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Appalachian State University, Boone, BA, Poli Sci, 1987
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, Doctor of Ministry, Master of Dvinity, 2009
WORK & MILITARY
First Baptist Church Charlotte, Senior Pastor, 12.5
Trinity Baptist Church, Senior Pastor, 3.83
AFFILIATIONS
NC Values Coalition, Former Board Member, Charlotte Pregnancy Resource Center
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Former Chairman
With Open Eyes Foundation, Southern Baptist Convention
International Mission, Baptist State Convention, Former President
Brookstone School, NC Baptist Children's Homes
Family Research Council Association of Churches & Ministries, Vice President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
US Senate, 2014
US Representative, 2018
US Representative, 2016
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (15)
National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
*Eagle Forum PAC
Family Research Council Action PAC
*Susan B. Anthony List
Huck PAC
OTHER (1)
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC PAC)
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Mark Robinson, Lt Governor of North Carolina
Mike Huckabee, Former Governor of Arkansas
Ralph Reed, Chairman of Faith & Freedom
Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (20)
David Willis (2024)
Donald Trump (2024)
House Freedom Fund (2024)
Mark Robinson (2024)
Republican Women's Organizations (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (128)
Alex Mooney (2024)
Brian Babin (2024)
Buckeye Liberty PAC (2024)
Bulldog PAC (2024)
Citizens United (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer dollars should never be used to fund abortion.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
I am glad the North Carolina legislature moved to require in-person consultation and increased reporting requirements. These additional requirements are common-sense safety standards that I would support at the federal level.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe life begins at conception. Doctors should look to perform emergency surgery to save the life and the mother and the child if possible. Elective abortions should be banned in all cases, except to save the life of the mother.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
The Supreme Court has allowed for state laws to govern abortions. The 2023 12-week legislation by the NC General Assembly was a good first step, but I would like to see North Carolina pass a Heartbeat Bill. If I was serving in the House in 2022, I would have supported Senator Lindsay Graham's bill that establishes a 15-week federal ban on abortions. I will support any pro-life federal legislation that protects more unborn babies.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
Scrap Bidenomics & renew the Trump tax cuts. With a national debt now over 33.8 trillion, we have a spending problem in Washington. We must work to eliminate whole departments in Washington and get serious about our national debt.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
Students who borrow funds should pay back their loans.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
ESG and similar programs are harmful investment criteria.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The government has no authority to direct the religious exercises of any constituents meaning there should be no government-mandated religion. The only role of the federal government is to protect religious freedom for all citizens.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
The federal government should never require vaccination because health & safety fall under the reserved powers of the states according to the 10th Amendment. My role as a Congressman would be to assure that individual rights of citizens are protected
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
We need to look at reform that is market-based and patient-driven. A market-based approach would foster competition and empower individuals to make personal healthcare decisions between them and their doctor. Opening the market up to buy insurance across state lines and encouraging HSA’s should be at the heart of any major healthcare reform. It is not the government's responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
B. If we must intervene to fight tyranny there must be accountability for the funds we send to other countries. I understand that ammunition and weapons are important to win a battle, but we cannot continue to send blank checks out with no accountability.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
America must stand with our most trusted ally. We cannot waver in our support of Israel. The scriptures instruct us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and also in Genesis 12 teaches us that those who bless Israel will be blessed. The United States has strategic interests in supporting our alley. Israel has been designated as a U.S. Major non-NATO Ally under U.S. law and we have signed multiple bilateral defense cooperation agreements going back to 1952.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
From the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal to discharging thousands of our most experienced troops for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations, Our nation's military has lost its way under the Biden Administration. The US has moved away from the Powell Doctrine of maintaining an overwhelming force in favor of risk-aversion soft diplomacy policies that add climate change, food insecurity, communicable diseases, and inflation as national security issues. Lowering standards demotivates those serving.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who follow our immigration laws and vow to renounce their allegiance to their former native country to assimilate here and become a citizen who will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of States. Those who are physically persecuted and those who have faced serious human rights violations should file proper paperwork to seek asylum. The United States cannot be an open door for all those who seek access to a better economy.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a follower of Christ. I have devoted 35 years of my life to the ministry as a Pastor. I believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible Word of God. I believe in a biblical worldview and the freewill of man.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear and natural gas
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The role of Government should be limited. The government should focus on preventing injustice by protecting property and securing liberty for all citizens while also defending and protecting citizens from both foreign and domestic enemies. Local and State governments should focus on maintaining order and stability so that people can live safe, productive, and happy lives.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Self-defense is a God-given right. I don’t support restrictions on gun ownership because the Second Amendment states that the right to bear arms shall not be infringed. I support public safety by supporting law enforcement.
