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8th Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 8th District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Rep. Mark Harris (R) ran for re-election against Colby Watson (D), a small business owner, and Green Party candidate Bo Whitehead. With all precincts reporting, Harris leads by 5,179 votes. Results are unofficial until certified. Check your own address on the NC State Board of Elections voter lookup to confirm your district.

Harris leadsAll precincts reporting; unofficial until certified1
50.39%Harris (R)1
48.62%Watson (D)1
0.99%Whitehead (Green)1
5,179Vote margin of 291,899 cast1

Do they have a plan?

We read every issue on each candidate's own website and checked the same six things for every one. We count what's there. We don't grade whether the ideas are good. Read the full scoring rules

Of the issues on their website, how many...Mark HarrisColby WatsonBo Whitehead
Names a policy5 of 6
7 of 12
4 of 6
Says how they'd do it0 of 6
0 of 12
1 of 6
Includes a number or target0 of 6
0 of 12
1 of 6
Says how it's paid for0 of 6
0 of 12
0 of 6
Gives a timeline0 of 6
0 of 12
0 of 6
Points to a record5 of 6
1 of 12
0 of 6

The candidates, side by side

Each topic shows every candidate's own words on it, in alphabetical order, from their own website. "Nothing on this topic" means their site doesn't cover it. Topic rows are grouped by us from their headings; the scores don't change.

Mark HarrisRepublican
Colby WatsonDemocrat
Bo WhiteheadGreen
Who they are
Mark Harris
U.S. Representative (his site)
Colby Watson
Small business owner
Bo Whitehead
Warehouse supervisor
Abortion
Mark Harris
Pro-Life & Pro-Family"Mark is also a stalwart defender of traditional family values, having led the charge for the 2012 marriage amendment"2 From his Accomplishments page, bills he "introduced and fought for": "H.R. 729 - Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2025"3 and "H.R. 6191 - No Taxpayer Funded Abortion Travel for Illegal Aliens Act."32, 3
Names a policyPoints to a record
Colby Watson
Nothing on this topic
Bo Whitehead
Nothing on this topic
Immigration and the border
Mark Harris
Prioritizing National Security & Strong Borders"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."2 A bill he introduced, per his Accomplishments page: "H.R. 1312 - No Asylum for Criminals Act of 2025"3, which "Prevents a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor from receiving asylum."32, 3
Names a policyPoints to a record
Fortifying Our Nation & Honoring Our Borders"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."22
None of the six checks
Colby Watson
Border & Immigration"Secure our southern border with modern technology, infrastructure, and adequate staffing."6 Also: "Hold employers accountable for knowingly exploiting undocumented labor."66
None of the six checks
Bo Whitehead
Immigration and ICE (no heading posted; labeled by us)"End ICE and completely rehaul our immigration system."13 Also: "Our immigration system should be one of assistance, not terror."1313
Names a policy
Veterans
Mark Harris
Nothing on this topic
Colby Watson
Veterans"Fully honor the PACT Act and ensure veterans exposed to toxic substances receive the care and benefits they have earned."66
Names a policy
Bo Whitehead
Nothing on this topic
Health care
Mark Harris
Nothing on this topic
Colby Watson
Healthcare"Strengthen antitrust enforcement and stop anti-competitive mergers."6 Also: "Lower prescription drug costs."66
Names a policy
Bo Whitehead
Health care, child care and mental health (no heading posted; labeled by us)"Universal healthcare, universal childcare, and a complete overhaul of our mental health system must be implemented as soon as possible."1313
Names a policy
Housing
Mark Harris
Nothing on this topic
Colby Watson
Housing"Stop Wall Street firms and large institutional investors from buying up our neighborhoods."6 Also: "Support first-time homebuyer programs."66
Names a policy
Bo Whitehead
Nothing on this topic
Schools and education
Mark Harris
Empowering Teachers & Ensuring School Choice"Whether public, private, charter, or homeschool, families should have full freedom to choose what works best for their children."2 A bill he introduced, per his Accomplishments page: "H.R. 6392 - Home School Graduation Recognition Act"3, which "Ensures that homeschool students are not discriminated against while applying for college."32, 3
Names a policyPoints to a record
Colby Watson
Education and Strong Schools"Ban social media companies from collecting data on children under 18."6 Also: "Fully fund special education."6 And: "Strengthen Title I support for high-need schools."66
Names a policy
Bo Whitehead
Nothing on this topic
Energy and environment
Mark Harris
Enforcing Laws & Building Safer Communities"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."2 A bill he introduced, per his Accomplishments page: "H.R. 6715 - Child Predators Accountability Act"3, which "Closes a loophole in the law that allows for child predators to walk free."32, 3
Names a policyPoints to a record
Colby Watson
Energy & EnvironmentThe page says only "Coming soon."12 Nothing to score.12
None of the six checks
Bo Whitehead
Environment (no heading posted; labeled by us)"We also need an indefinite moratorium on all data centers until we can properly regulate this industry"13 Also: "We must expand wind and solar power to update our power grid"1313
Names a policy
Technology and privacy
Mark Harris
Nothing on this topic
Colby Watson
Data Centers & AI"Support moratoriums on new data centers when necessary."8 Also: "Require transparency about the water and electricity demands of data centers."8 And: "End taxpayer subsidies for data centers."88
Names a policy
Bo Whitehead
Nothing on this topic
Crime and public safety
Mark Harris
Nothing on this topic
Colby Watson
Safe Communities"Crack down on fentanyl traffickers poisoning our communities."6 Also: "Expand access to mental health care and crisis intervention."66
None of the six checks
Bo Whitehead
Human trafficking and exploitation (no heading posted; labeled by us)"No more will the rich and powerful be allowed to target our most vulnerable people for profit and pleasure."1313
None of the six checks
Ethics, term limits and money in politics
Mark Harris
Nothing on this topic
Colby Watson
Corruption, Integrity, Accountability"Ban members of Congress from buying, selling, or trading individual stocks while in office."6 Also: "Support a constitutional amendment to overturn the effects of Citizens United."6 Record: "Paid for by Colby Watson for Congress, without a cent of corporate interest money."66
Names a policyPoints to a record
Bo Whitehead
Nothing on this topic
Budget, debt and spending
Mark Harris
Working to End Wasteful Spending & Fight Inflation"He is determined to deliver legislation that will take the burden of higher costs off of American taxpayers"2 His Accomplishments page lists him as a cosponsor of "H.R. 3733 - Make DOGE Permanent Act"3 and "H.R. 8028 - SNAP Fraud Reporting Act of 2026."32, 3
Names a policyPoints to a record
Colby Watson
Nothing on this topic
Bo Whitehead
Nothing on this topic
Taxes, jobs and the economy
Mark Harris
Nothing on this topic
Colby Watson
Economy"Fund apprenticeships, trade schools, and job training."6 Also: "Cut the red tape that strangles small businesses and the skilled trades."66
None of the six checks
Bo Whitehead
Workers' rights (no heading posted; labeled by us)"$25 minimum wage, mandatory maternity leave and vacation for all workers, and mandatory holiday leave for all state recognized holidays."13 Also: "Stricter regulations on the truck driving industry to ensure fair practices such as mandatory 6 days off per month, transparency in how drivers are paid by percentage, minimum $1 per mile"1313
Names a policySays how they'd do itIncludes a number or target
Defense and foreign policy
Mark Harris
Nothing on this topic
Colby Watson
Foreign Policy"If our nation goes to war, the people's representatives in Congress should debate it and vote on it."11 Also: "No weapons should be given to governments engaged in human rights violations."1111
Names a policy
Bo Whitehead
Wars and genocides (no heading posted; labeled by us)"Wars and genocides must end today."13 Also: "we must protect our neighbors who suffer the most horrific oppression and hold accountable the people and systems who commit these crimes"1313
None of the six checks
Rights and freedoms
Mark Harris
Nothing on this topic
Colby Watson
Rights, Liberty, Freedoms"I also support and will defend the Second Amendment and the constitutional right of law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms."66
None of the six checks
Bo Whitehead
Nothing on this topic
Their record
Mark Harris
  • His home page says "As NC-08's Congressman, Mark Harris has fought every day to put the American people first."5 Before Congress he was a pastor and president of the North Carolina Baptist Convention from 2011 to 2013.4 His Accomplishments page lists bills he introduced or cosponsored; the bills named above come from that page.3 His Issues page still says the border is "exacerbated by Biden's weak border policies,"2 which reads as left over from an earlier campaign. Scored as posted.
Colby Watson
  • Says "For more than a decade, I've been a small business owner."10 His site lists no elected office. His Energy & Environment page says only "Coming soon."12
Bo Whitehead
  • Says he is "now working as a supervisor in a warehouse."13 His site lists no elected office. It numbers six issues with no headings, so we labeled each by topic. A list in his bio (marijuana, prison reform, ending foreign aid and others) has no section of its own and wasn't scored.
In their words
Mark Harris

"I'm here to fight, but more importantly, I'm here to serve."

Mark Harris, campaign home page5

"I cannot sit idly by as the liberals attempt to tear down the values and principles that made America the greatest nation on earth."

Mark Harris, campaign home page5
Colby Watson

"That's why I'm running for Congress: to restore trust, rebuild opportunity, and help build a government that once again works for the people."

Colby Watson, campaign About page10

"I am not interested in being blindly for AI or blindly against it."

Colby Watson, campaign Data Centers & AI page8
Bo Whitehead

"It is time for America to have a modern Healthcare system that works to heal the sick, not pull them into debt."

Bo Whitehead, campaign home page13

"Wars and genocides must end today."

Bo Whitehead, campaign home page13
Where we read it
Mark Harris
Website: markharrisforcongress.org/issues (checked 11/5/2026)
Colby Watson
Website: colbyforcongress.com/issues (checked 11/5/2026)
Bo Whitehead
Website: whiteheadforcongressnc.carrd.co/ (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

  • Harris and Watson both want a stronger border. Harris: "He is committed to fortifying our borders, supporting advanced technology, and rigorously enforcing our immigration laws"2 Watson: "Secure our southern border with modern technology, infrastructure, and adequate staffing."6
  • Both put schooling decisions with parents. Harris: "parents, not the Federal Government, should have the final say in how to educate their children."2 Watson: "Keep education decisions with parents and local communities, not bureaucrats in Washington."6
  • Both talk about honoring veterans and service members. Harris: "honors the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women"2 Watson: "Fully honor the PACT Act and ensure veterans exposed to toxic substances receive the care and benefits they have earned."6

Where they really split

  • Immigration enforcement: Harris backs a bill that "Prevents a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor from receiving asylum."3 Watson: "Focus enforcement resources on violent criminals and genuine public safety threats."6
  • What drives costs: Harris wants to "cut the kind of excessive government spending that led to the record-high inflation we saw under the Biden Administration."2 Watson would "Strengthen antitrust enforcement and stop anti-competitive mergers."6
  • Health care: Whitehead: "Universal healthcare, universal childcare, and a complete overhaul of our mental health system must be implemented as soon as possible."13 Watson: "Lower prescription drug costs."6

What each one leaves out

  • Harris's six Issues paragraphs name no policy on their own. Counting the bills on his Accomplishments page, he names one on five of six and spells out how on none. He gives no numbers, costs or dates, and names nothing on the military paragraph.2, 3
  • Watson names a policy on seven of twelve issues and spells out how on none. He gives no numbers, costs or dates and cites one past action (no corporate money). His Energy & Environment page is empty.6, 12
  • Whitehead names a policy on four of six issues. He spells out how and gives numbers on one (workers' rights). He gives no costs, dates or past actions.13
Sources (checked 11/5/2026)
  1. NC State Board of Elections results, statewide, unofficial (100% of precincts reporting, last county upload Nov 4, 2026 4:13 PM): er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/03/2026&county_id=0&office=FED&contest=0
  2. Mark Harris campaign, Issues: markharrisforcongress.org/issues
  3. Mark Harris campaign, Legislative Accomplishments: markharrisforcongress.org/accomplishments
  4. Mark Harris campaign, About: markharrisforcongress.org/about
  5. Mark Harris campaign, Home: markharrisforcongress.org/
  6. Colby Watson campaign, Issues: colbyforcongress.com/issues
  7. Colby Watson campaign, Healthcare: colbyforcongress.com/healthcare
  8. Colby Watson campaign, Data Centers & AI: colbyforcongress.com/data-centers-ai
  9. Colby Watson campaign, Home: colbyforcongress.com/
  10. Colby Watson campaign, About: colbyforcongress.com/about
  11. Colby Watson campaign, Foreign Policy: colbyforcongress.com/issues/foreign-policy-and-immigration
  12. Colby Watson campaign, Energy & Environment: colbyforcongress.com/energy-enviroment
  13. Bo Whitehead campaign, Home: whiteheadforcongressnc.carrd.co/