Mark Harris, 60, is a former pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Mooresville and a past president of the North Carolina Baptist Convention. A graduate of Appalachian State University, he has represented District 8 in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2025. He lives with his wife in Stanly County.
Candidate Q&A
NC Health News reached out multiple times by email, social media and to Harris’ congressional office and did not receive a response. To provide information to readers, we have included examples from Harris’ congressional voting record, along with statements he has made on his website and in news releases.
What do you see as the biggest financial and administrative challenge to implementing the work requirements for Medicaid that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill?
NC Health News did not find Harris discussing the cost or administrative burden of the work requirements on states.
Harris voted in May 2025 to advance the House version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and again in July 2025 for the final version. In a May 22, 2025, news release, he said the bill “emphasizes the importance, and dignity, of work by requiring able-bodied Americans to work in order to be eligible for Medicaid and food assistance.” He added that Medicaid “remains weighed down by misplaced priorities and state money-laundering scams.”
In a July 3, 2025, news release on the final vote, Harris called the work requirements for able-bodied adults “an important step in the right direction.” He said the bill would have been stronger had the Senate not weakened some of the House’s fiscal reforms.
What would be your plan for ensuring the future security and strength of Social Security and Medicare?
NC Health News did not find a current plan from Harris for Social Security or Medicare. Earlier statements show how he has framed the issue.
In a 2018 NC Health News candidate survey, Harris said, “we cannot and will not cut benefits” for seniors on Social Security and Medicare and that the plan must be solid for anyone receiving it or nearing retirement.
In 2025 news releases, such as his May 22 statement, Harris stressed the national debt, which he said was approaching $37 trillion, and said he wanted a fiscally responsible future for “our children and grandchildren.”
What would you support in Congress as a plan to help control health care and pharmaceutical costs?
NC Health News did not find recent statements from Harris on health care or drug costs during his time in Congress.
In a 2018 NC Health News candidate survey, Harris said the country should “break up the pharmaceutical industry” that has had a near monopoly on drug pricing. He said getting more medications through the approval process faster would create more competition and lower prices.
In December 2025, Harris voted for the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act (H.R. 6703), a Republican health care bill that was offered instead of extending enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, according to an AFL-CIO legislative scorecard.
What steps would you take to improve access to health care in rural areas? How do we make the Rural Health Transformation Program successful in North Carolina?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
The rollout of AI is moving fast, including in health care, and leaders in that space are calling for things to slow down. What federal moves should be taken to regulate it, if at all?
Speaking to The Washington Reporter about AI regulations in December 2025, Harris said he had “concerns about the patchwork quilt that’s done with all the states.” At the same time, he said that he did not know if the “federal government has the answers to this.”
Where do you stand on federal vaccine policy? What should be done to prevent future disease outbreaks?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
We’ve had some high-profile food contamination outbreaks, yet the federal government is pulling back on regulation of food, air and water. What level of federal regulation do you support and why?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
PFAS contamination is a nationwide issue; how do you address it while balancing public safety and business interests?
No response available. NC Health News could not find anything in the public record on this topic.
The building and placement of data centers have become a big issue, particularly in many rural communities. What should be the federal government’s role, if any, in how these are developed?
On Sept. 16, 2026, Harris voted yes on the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, which passed the House 417-3. The bill would require state utility regulators to consider standards that make data centers using 100 megawatts or more responsible for the costs of power infrastructure built to serve them, rather than passing those costs to household customers. The Senate fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance the bill on Sept. 30.
NC Health News did not find a separate statement from Harris on the federal role in data center development.
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