North Carolina 8th District

Mark Harris (R) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.

• 

  Mark Harris

  Republican · holds this seat today

  A-

  Liberty Score A-

  On the liberty side in 43 of 47 votes and bills.

  Raised $1,238,724 since January 2025: 72% from people, 20% from PACs and other committees, 7% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov

  Every vote behind this grade
• CW

  Colby Watson

  Democrat · construction business owner, first-time candidate

  No grade

  No grade yet

  I have no votes in Congress to count for Watson, and what Watson has said and done settles only 2 of my principles. I went through it on October 30. A grade needs 4.

  Raised $57,590 since January 2025: 48% from people, 44% the candidate’s own money, 5% from the party. The filing at FEC.gov

  See each one, with its source

Voting in North Carolina: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.

Side by side

A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.

Colby Watson, on the record

I have no votes in Congress to count for Watson, so the grade above comes from this list: what Watson has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.

• October 2026 · His campaign siteTyranny

  Supports strengthening Congress's war powers and repealing old war authorizations, naming no country.

  “I support strengthening Congress’s authority over war powers and repealing outdated authorizations that have allowed conflicts to continue for decades without accountability.”

  By the test I use for votes

  ?Not clear either way

  A general war powers position that does not name Iran or a bill is unclear.

  Source: Colby Watson for Congress, Foreign PolicyDiscuss this
• October 2026 · His campaign siteFree nations

  Says no weapons should go to governments engaged in human rights violations, without naming Israel.

  “No weapons should be given to governments engaged in human rights violations.”

  By the test I use for votes

  ?Not clear either way

  A rule for all foreign weapons that does not name Israel is unclear on israel.

  Source: Colby Watson for Congress, Foreign PolicyDiscuss this
• October 2026 · His campaign siteFree speech

  Says he will defend the First Amendment, including freedom of speech, naming no policy.

  “That includes protecting the First Amendment, the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to peacefully assemble, and the right to petition the government.”

  By the test I use for votes

  ?Not clear either way

  A general pledge with no censorship policy named is unclear.

  Source: Colby Watson for Congress, Rights, Liberty, FreedomsDiscuss this
• October 2026 · His campaign siteFree markets

  Lists cutting red tape on small businesses and the skilled trades as a priority.

  “Cut the red tape that strangles small businesses and the skilled trades.”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  Less regulation of business is with liberty on free markets.

  Source: Colby Watson for Congress, EconomyDiscuss this
• October 2026 · His campaign siteBorders

  Lists securing the southern border with technology, infrastructure and staffing as a priority.

  “Secure our southern border with modern technology, infrastructure, and adequate staffing.”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  Securing the border is with liberty on borders.

  Source: Colby Watson for Congress, Border & ImmigrationDiscuss this
• October 2026 · His campaign siteBorders

  Says many people already living here have built lives and each situation is different, without naming a policy.

  “Every situation is different, and we should approach immigration with both common sense and humanity rather than one-size-fits-all policies.”

  By the test I use for votes

  ?Not clear either way

  No amnesty, path or deportation policy is named, so the words do not settle it.

  Source: Colby Watson for Congress, Border & ImmigrationDiscuss this

Also on the ballot

Bo Whitehead (Green).

Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.