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10th Congressional District · 2026 U.S. House · Unofficial result

U.S. House, 10th District: what did each candidate actually say they'd do?

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Pat Harrigan (R), Ashley Bell (D), a physician associate, and Libertarian Steven Feldman, a physician, were on the general-election ballot. With 100% of precincts reporting, Harrigan leads Bell by 3,029 votes, 1.03 percentage points. Our saved sources show no race call and no concession, and the count is unofficial until certified. Check your own address on the NC State Board of Elections voter lookup to confirm your district.

Harrigan leads100% of precincts reporting; no call or concession in our sources; unofficial until certified¹

49.72%Harrigan (R): 146,166¹

48.69%Bell (D): 143,137¹

1.59%Feldman (Libertarian): 4,673¹

3,029Vote margin of 293,976 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...	Ashley Bell	Steven Feldman	Pat Harrigan
Names a policy	15 of 20	11 of 21	4 of 10
Says how they'd do it	0 of 20	2 of 21	0 of 10
Includes a number or target	0 of 20	0 of 21	0 of 10
Says how it's paid for	0 of 20	0 of 21	0 of 10
Gives a timeline	0 of 20	0 of 21	0 of 10
Points to a record	1 of 20	0 of 21	0 of 10

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.

Ashley BellDemocrat

Steven FeldmanLibertarian

Pat HarriganRepublican

Who they are

Ashley Bell

Physician Associate and university educator, by her own account.

Steven Feldman

Physician and medical scientist, by his own account. Several pages date from his 2024 run.

Pat Harrigan

Special Forces combat veteran and business owner, by his own account. His Issues page mixes Biden-era and current lines. Our reader was blocked, so these pages are Internet Archive copies from October 14 and 22.

Abortion

Ashley Bell

Nothing on this topic

Steven Feldman

Abortion and Reproductive Rights: Work together to create a balanced policy"Keeping government out of funding abortions" and "Making abortion illegal after a certain period of gestation, with proper consideration for the health of the mother"⁹

Names a policy

Pat Harrigan

Cultural Integrity"he fights to protect the unborn, stands firm with parental rights, defends women's sports, and safeguards religious freedom."⁶

None of the six checks

Guns

Ashley Bell

Common sense gun reform"Supporting the Second Amendment and opposing gun violence aren't in conflict."²

None of the six checks

Steven Feldman

Gun Rights and School Shootings"The government should NOT take guns away from law-abiding citizens."⁹

None of the six checks

Pat Harrigan

2nd Amendment"believes in the fundamental right of Constitutional carry, and rejects any attempt to impose red flags on those exercising their Second Amendment rights"⁶

Names a policy

Immigration and the border

Ashley Bell

Abolish ICE and new immigration laws"Ashley wants to abolish ICE and establish an accountable agency in its place that's focused on public safety and doesn't skip due process for anyone."²

Names a policy

Steven Feldman

Immigration: Our current policies have failed"ending our current sanctions on Venezuela would make families there less desperate to leave."⁹

Names a policy

Pat Harrigan

Immigration"Pat is working hand in hand with the Trump Administration to secure our border and enforce Federal law."⁶

None of the six checks

Veterans

Ashley Bell

Veterans' benefits"Ashley supports expanded veterans' benefits, loan forgiveness, and stronger access to mental healthcare."²

Names a policy

Steven Feldman

Nothing on this topic

Pat Harrigan

Nothing on this topic

Social Security, Medicare and seniors

Ashley Bell

Nothing on this topic

Steven Feldman

Social Security and Medicare: Build a solid financial foundation"We should consider raising the eligibility age for Medicare and Social Security, particularly for healthy, working people."⁹

None of the six checks

Pat Harrigan

Nothing on this topic

Health care

Ashley Bell

Universal Healthcare"That's why Ashley backs universal coverage and wants benefits untethered from your job. She'll legislate to end prior authorization and stop insurers from denying medically necessary care."³

Names a policy

Make insurance pay"Insurance companies shouldn't have more say over your care than your doctor. Ashley will hold them accountable to the patients they're supposed to serve."²

None of the six checks

Steven Feldman

Healthcare: Put the power of markets to work"On day one, I'd like to introduce legislation giving Americans back their freedom to purchase medications from wherever they want, without government restriction." Also: "I would like to introduce legislation that changes the FDA from a compulsory organization to an advisory one."⁹

Names a policySays how they'd do it

Pat Harrigan

Nothing on this topic

Schools and education

Ashley Bell

Education and opportunity"Ashley wants public schools fully funded and teachers paid what they're worth." Her About page says: "Working with media and the U.S. Department of Education, she helped force that company to shut down its predatory practices." (a for-profit ed-tech company she took on as a professor)^{2, 4}

Points to a record

Steven Feldman

Education: Give parents the tools to give their children a great education"The federal government should get out of the business of subsidizing colleges and universities."⁹

Names a policy

Pat Harrigan

Education"We must give parents school-choice options today while elected officials at the state level revamp our public school systems."⁷

Names a policy

Child care and families

Ashley Bell

Women's rights"Ashley will protect reproductive rights and defend access to contraception and the vote."²

Names a policy

Paid sick, family, maternity, and paternity leave"Paid sick, family, maternity, and paternity leave" with "longer duration for each"²

Names a policy

Steven Feldman

Nothing on this topic

Pat Harrigan

Family Safety"That starts with bringing federal law and state law into congruence and promoting personal responsibility through real consequences."⁷

None of the six checks

Energy and environment

Ashley Bell

Green New Deal"More clean energy jobs, less pollution, and expanded public transit."²

Names a policy

Steven Feldman

Climate"Government should encourage, but not attempt to direct, these responses."⁹

None of the six checks

Pat Harrigan

Energy"That includes domestic oil exploration, pipeline construction, fracking, nuclear energy development, solar, wind, coal, and all other forms of energy"⁶

None of the six checks

Technology and privacy

Ashley Bell

Regulate AI and Data Centers"Ashley believes data centers should pay their own way, with enforceable limits on water and power use and no cost shifted onto our electric bills."³

Names a policy

Steven Feldman

Nothing on this topic

Pat Harrigan

Nothing on this topic

Crime and public safety

Ashley Bell

Expanding the Supreme Court and term limits for justices"Expanding the Supreme Court and instituting term limits for justices."²

Names a policy

Steven Feldman

Drugs: End the prohibition"Legalizing or decriminalizing drugs at the federal level" Also: "By eliminating the prohibition on drugs we can expect to dramatically reduce drug cartels, drug related violence, and the cost of drug crime."⁹

Names a policy

Pat Harrigan

Crime"Pat is standing up to politicians who want to bring casinos and gambling to our neighborhoods, which will create more crime than jobs."⁶

Names a policy

Elections and voting

Ashley Bell

Ban partisan gerrymandering"Every American deserves a vote that counts, no matter where they live. It's time to end the gerrymandering games."²

Names a policy

Steven Feldman

Voter ID"requiring a voter ID is entirely reasonable, if we make sure that all eligible voters are given or can easily obtain an ID"⁹

Names a policy

Pat Harrigan

Election Integrity"we should have to show identification and confirm our identities in a meaningful way"⁶

Names a policy

Ethics, term limits and money in politics

Ashley Bell

Anti-Corruption"Ashley will demand oversight from Congress and hold all three branches of government accountable."³

None of the six checks

Money out of politics"Ashley supports banning congressional stock trading and ending Citizens United. She also wants to abolish dark money and create a system that allows working people to run their own campaigns."²

Names a policy

Term limits for lawmakers"Congress isn't supposed to be a career."²

Names a policy

Steven Feldman

Government Transparency"Our politicians and administrators should be as open as possible about what they are doing and how they are doing it."⁹

None of the six checks

Pat Harrigan

Nothing on this topic

Budget, debt and spending

Ashley Bell

Nothing on this topic

Steven Feldman

Government Spending: Balance our federal budget"The government must spend less and pay down the debt." Also: "increasing the age of eligibility for healthy working Americans"⁹

Names a policy

Pat Harrigan

Nothing on this topic

Taxes, jobs and the economy

Ashley Bell

Affordability and Economic Relief"Ashley supports a national minimum wage and targeted relief for unavoidable costs. She will work to end the tariff whiplash that has made financial planning impossible for NC-10 families and small businesses."³

Names a policy

Statehood for DC and Puerto Rico"No taxation without representation."²

Names a policy

Steven Feldman

Taxes: Simplify the system"One simple, transparent approach would be a flat tax and sales tax, with a full rebate for everyone on all income up to the poverty level" and "no other taxes"⁹

Names a policySays how they'd do it

Pat Harrigan

Economy"Pat is fighting in Washington to curb inflation, cut wasteful spending, decrease taxes, and lower energy prices."^{6, 7}

None of the six checks

Defense and foreign policy

Ashley Bell

Stop funding Israel"the United States shouldn't be funding the deaths of Palestinians including thousands of children."²

Names a policy

Steven Feldman

National Defense"Stop imposing sanctions that kill their children" and "Stop supporting dictators in their countries"⁹

Names a policy

Foreign Relations"Ending sanctions on Iran and Cuba" and "Expanding our Peace Corps activities" and "I'd like to see us offer to withdraw from NATO."⁹

Names a policy

Platform: Focus our military on defense"War is immoral, counterproductive, and costly."¹⁰

None of the six checks

Pat Harrigan

National Security"We must reinvest in our military, and give our soldiers the tools and support they need to do their jobs."⁶

None of the six checks

Rights and freedoms

Ashley Bell

Disability rights"Ashley supports full ADA enforcement, expanded Medicaid access, and stronger employment protections."²

Names a policy

LGBTQ+ rights"Ashley opposes any legislation that treats LGBTQ+ Americans as second-class citizens. She supports full legal equality under the law."²

None of the six checks

Steven Feldman

Marriage Equality"Any two people who wish to marry should be able to do so without government interference."⁹

None of the six checks

Pat Harrigan

Nothing on this topic

How government works

Ashley Bell

Nothing on this topic

Steven Feldman

Discrimination"preference should not be permitted in government-funded endeavors"⁹

Names a policy

Platform: Find solutions that empower people, not government"I favor solutions that give individuals and families responsibility for their own lives and well-being."¹⁰

None of the six checks

Pat Harrigan

Nothing on this topic

Other

Ashley Bell

Nothing on this topic

Steven Feldman

Our Nation's Flag"While I support the right of people to disrespect or even desecrate the flag"⁹

None of the six checks

The Confederate Flag"I support the right of people to fly the Confederate flag"⁹

None of the six checks

Platform: Focus on our shared goals and values"We aren't so far apart in our views."¹⁰

None of the six checks

Pat Harrigan

Nothing on this topic

Their record

Ashley Bell

Physician Associate with 15 years in medicine and 20 years as an educator, by her own account.⁴ Says she worked with journalists and the U.S. Department of Education until a for-profit ed-tech company "was forced into bankruptcy and shut down".⁴

Steven Feldman

Physician and medical scientist, by his own account.¹¹ His site lists no elected office.

Pat Harrigan

West Point graduate, Special Forces combat veteran and defense-products manufacturer, by his own account.⁸ His Issues page says "Pat is fighting in Washington" but names no bills or votes.⁶

In their words

Ashley Bell

"I treat patients who can't afford to be sick. It's time NC-10 had someone in Congress who actually gets it."
Ashley Bell, campaign home page⁵

"I'm a Physician Associate, an educator, and a straight talker."
Ashley Bell, campaign About page⁴

Steven Feldman

"Staying focused on our shared values, understanding and considering the positions of our fellow citizens, seeking reasonable compromise, and trying different approaches, we can successfully meet every challenge our nation faces."
Steve Feldman, campaign Platform page¹⁰

"I will work across divides to shrink government, reduce federal debt, and let people live their lives as they wish, as long as they do no harm to others."
Steve Feldman, campaign About page¹¹

Pat Harrigan

"Without a border, we don't have a country."
Pat Harrigan, campaign Issues page⁶

"We must pass election laws that make it easier to vote, and harder to cheat, and that push power down to the local and state levels."
Pat Harrigan, campaign Issues page⁶

Where we read it

Ashley Bell

Website: ashleybellforcongress.com/issues (checked 11/5/2026)

Steven Feldman

Website: stevefeldmanforcongress.com/my-positions (checked 11/5/2026)

Pat Harrigan

Website: harriganforcongressnc.com/issues (checked 11/5/2026)

The middle

Where they agree

Harrigan and Feldman both back voter ID. Harrigan: "we should have to show identification and confirm our identities in a meaningful way"⁶ Feldman: "requiring a voter ID is entirely reasonable"⁹
Bell and Feldman both want to change U.S. funding for Israel. Bell: "the United States shouldn't be funding the deaths of Palestinians including thousands of children"² Feldman: "Stop supporting Israel's mistreatment and killing of Palestinian families"⁹

Where they really split

Guns: Bell: "Supporting the Second Amendment and opposing gun violence aren't in conflict."² Harrigan "rejects any attempt to impose red flags"⁶. Feldman: "The government should NOT take guns away from law-abiding citizens."⁹
Health care: Bell backs "universal coverage"³ Feldman: "My preference is to encourage market-based care."⁹ Harrigan's pages have no health care issue.
Abortion: Bell: "Ashley will protect reproductive rights"² Harrigan: "he fights to protect the unborn"⁶ Feldman: "Making abortion illegal after a certain period of gestation"⁹

What each one leaves out

Bell names a policy on fifteen of her twenty issues but spells out how on none, and her pages give no numbers, costs or dates. The answers for her four top issues sit in collapsed boxes on the Issues page.^{2, 3}
Harrigan names a policy on four of his ten issues, spells out how on none, and gives no numbers, costs or dates. His pages have no health care issue, and the Issues page still reads partly as a 2024 page.^{6, 7}
Feldman names a policy on eleven of his twenty-one headings and spells out how on two (taxes, health care). He gives no date (we don't count "On day one" as one, the same as "immediately"), and none of his headings gives a number or a funding source.⁹

Sources (checked 11/5/2026)

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
Ashley Bell campaign, Issues: ashleybellforcongress.com/issues
Ashley Bell campaign, Issues (collapsed answers for the four top issues, read from the saved page code): ashleybellforcongress.com/issues#accordion
Ashley Bell campaign, About: ashleybellforcongress.com/about-copy
Ashley Bell campaign, Home: ashleybellforcongress.com/
Pat Harrigan campaign, Issues (Internet Archive copy of 10/14/2026; the live site blocks our reader): harriganforcongressnc.com/issues
Pat Harrigan campaign, Home (Internet Archive copy of 10/22/2026): harriganforcongressnc.com/
Pat Harrigan campaign, About Pat (Internet Archive copy of 10/14/2026): harriganforcongressnc.com/about-pat
Steve Feldman campaign, My Positions: stevefeldmanforcongress.com/my-positions
Steve Feldman campaign, My Platform: stevefeldmanforcongress.com/my-platform
Steve Feldman campaign, About Steve: stevefeldmanforcongress.com/about-steve