Mark Harris

Mark Harris was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School. 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.[1]

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Campaign website

Harris' campaign website stated the following:

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.

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.

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.

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.[4]

—Mark Harris' campaign website (2024)[5]

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]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

I am passionate about adequately funding and supporting the military and our veterans. As the son of a World War II POW, I understand firsthand the sacrifice our men and women in uniform make for our country. We owe them a debt of gratitude and all the tools they need while they are active as well as honoring our commitment to our veterans after their service is completed. Immigration and Border Security is another area of passion. We need to build the wall and protect our borders. We need to enforce current immigration laws. We need to update our immigration laws to reflect the needs of our country. Cities and/or states that aid, abet, induce or encourage violation of immigration laws (“sanctuary cities”) should not be supported by the federal government. As a pastor of 30 years, I am deeply concerned about Religious Liberty. Perhaps more than any other of our God given rights that our founding fathers recognized, freedom of religion has been the one most trampled on. A quick tour of Washington DC easily proves that God and the Bible were a vital part of government. The first amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." but time after time government "authorities" have made a routine of "prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." We need to repeal the Johnson Amendment once and for all and promote religious freedom across the nation.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[4]

Campaign website

Harris' campaign website stated the following:

Education

The federal Department of Education was created in 1979. Since then, ask yourself if public education has gotten better or worse? I believe that the more local the control of education, the better the quality will be. I would support President Trump & Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ push to decentralize control of education from Washington, and back to the States.

Term Limits

I am a firm supporter of term limits. I believe that this is the only way to truly DRAIN THE SWAMP and break the backs of the special interests and lobbyists that control DC. I have committed to sponsor and strongly advocate for a Constitutional Amendment for term limits in Congress.

Taxation

While positive steps were made in 2017 to reduce corporate and personal taxes, the end result fell far short of dramatically simplifying the tax codes. Congress needs to take bold action and completely eliminate the hundreds of thousands of pages of the current tax codes and replace them with a concise, fair and simpler process. This is the era of bold thinking and aggressive!

Terrorism

Millions of Muslims have lived in the United States peacefully for hundreds of years. Religious liberty is probably the highest virtue that we hold as a nation. That being said, there is no denying that radical factions of Muslims believe that killing "infidels" is their religious duty (jihad), and they consider the U.S. infidels. As a former Pastor, I know the history of religious wars, especially between Israel and her enemies. Our country should continue its unwavering support for the nation of Israel, and should absolutely continue to be pro-active in our defense against radical Muslims that would seek to cause us harm.

Immigration

We need to build the wall and protect our borders. We need to enforce current immigration laws. We need to update our immigration laws to reflect the NEEDS of OUR country. Cities and/or states that aid, abet, induce or encourage violation of immigration laws (“sanctuary cities”) should be prosecuted by the federal government.

Obamacare

Congress must keep its promise to the American People and repeal and replace Obamacare! 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.

National Defense

A strong national defense is the cornerstone of a peaceful nation. We must invest in the tools and equipment necessary to ensure our military is the strongest in the world. Our armed forces should be powerful enough that we strike fear in our enemies and show solid support for our allies.

Military

As the son of a World War II POW, I understand firsthand the sacrifice our men and women in uniform make for our country. We owe them a debt of gratitude and all the tools they need while service as well as honoring our commitment to our veterans after their service.

2nd Amendment

"A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Numerous court rulings and historical evidence affirm that the intent of the founding fathers was to acknowledge the God-given "...right of the people to keep and bear Arms" that "shall not be infringed." The current outcry for additional legislation limiting gun ownership is a misguided attempt to reduce gun violence. History has proven that strict gun laws do not reduce illegal use of firearms and opens the door for tyranny.

The Role of the Federal Government

The vast majority of the functions that Washington currently performs are not in the Constitution. I believe that the primary role of the federal government is to physically protect its citizens through a strong national defense and protect their rights by limiting the federal government to its narrow Constitutional role.

Pro Life and Pro Family

One of the most devastating blows to the American way of life has been the breakdown the family unit. A marriage consists of one man and one woman. The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision decided otherwise. I would support the nomination of conservative Supreme Court Justices that would re-visit this decision as well as “Roe v. Wade”. The term "life" applies to conception. The courts have not acknowledged modern medical technology that clearly demonstrates life begins with conception and therefore haven't extended the protections afforded by law to the unborn. This issue needs to be revisited and comprehensive biological and medical evidence be presented to the Supreme Court so that babies lives can be saved.

Religious Liberty

Perhaps more than any other of our God given rights that our founding fathers recognized, freedom of religion has been the one most trampled on. A quick tour of Washington DC easily proves that God and the Bible were a vital part of government. Bible verses are engraved in our official federal buildings and monuments, and for the first two hundred years of our country's history prayer was often invoked at official government meetings - and not just "token" prayers to a nameless God, but devout and often lengthy prayers to a personal God (Congress still opens with a prayer from the Chaplain.) The first amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." but time after time government "authorities" have made a routine of "prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

Career Politicians

Career politicians are not getting the job done. It's time for a new approach.

[4]

—Mark Harris’ campaign website (2018)[8]

Campaign advertisements

The following is an example of an ad from Harris' 2018 election campaign.

"It's Time Our Voice Was Heard" - Harris campaign video, released August 20, 2018

Campaign website

The following issues were listed on Harris' campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

Obamacare: I will not vote for a budget that funds Obamacare. The failed law has placed an extraordinary burden on individuals and businesses and must be repealed and replaced.

Taxes & the Economy: High taxes are placing a massive burden on working families and businesses. I support lower tax rates across the board and will fight for substantive tax reform to simplify the tax code.

Immigration: Securing the border is the obligation of our federal government. America’s illegal immigration problem is placing an enormous burden on our economy and it remains a threat to our national security.

National Security: National security must be a priority. With rising threats to our nation and our interests, our military must be adequately funded in order to meet these threats.

Transgender Bathrooms: This was a completely manufactured crisis, begun by Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts and members of City Council. The ordinance defied logic and the will of Charlotte residents. We must reject this radical agenda and keep our restrooms safe. I have fought on the front lines from Day 1 against the Charlotte bathroom ordinance and I will continue to fight it.

[4]

—Mark Harris' campaign website, http://www.markharrisforcongress.com/issues/