In North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District, a staunchly Republican region, Democrat Justin Dues and Republican Rev. Mark Harris are battling it out. Dues has chosen a platitudinous slogan ‘stronger together’ for his campaign, while Harris’ pledge stands as ‘firm on what matters.’ Instead of seeking yet another term in Washington, Representative Dan Bishop is squaring off with U.S. Representative Jeff Jackson for the role of top state prosecutor.
Since 2012, District 8, ensconced on the periphery of Charlotte, has been dominated by the Republican Party. A testament to this, Bishop secured close to 70% of votes two years ago, the largest margin since the Republicans’ first victory in the district the same year.
Dues touts his status as a Marine veteran, focusing his campaign around vague terms such as ‘restoring trust in the election process,’ ‘eliminating dark money’ from campaigns, and ‘reviving the American dream.’ He advocates for vague ‘change,’ specifically in the district’s political echelons and the broader sphere of Washington. According to his campaign website, this nebulous change is supposed to prevent abuse of power and ensure a system that is designed to work for everyone.
‘Tailored for the conservative base, Harris’ campaign is centered around anti-abortion and pro-marriage beliefs, national security, school choice, and stern law enforcement. He believes his personal life and career trajectory uniquely equip him for representing District 8.
Harris’ steadfastness is captured in his statement, ‘I’m not going to back down. I’m here to fight, but more importantly, I’m here to serve.’ As a pastor, husband, father, and grandfather, Harris paints himself as a bulwark against the ‘liberal assault’ on quintessential American values and principles.
Harris’ past paints a questionable picture, however. In his 2018 bid for the U.S. House, he was embroiled in a notable ballot harvesting scandal. Unable to come to terms with his alleged role in the scandal, he tearfully admitted uncertainty about the legitimacy of his campaign.
Harris’ admission cast a serious doubt over his electoral victory. In response, the State Board of Elections withheld certification of the result. The 2019 re-run of the election, during which Harris did not compete, paved the way for Bishop’s ascension from the state Senate to Washington.
As per the Federal Election Commission’s records up until June 30, Harris had amassed nearly $700,000 in campaign donations and had spent almost $500,000 of that amount. Meanwhile, Dues’ financial report displays an unimaginable expanse of nothingness — all zeroes.
Dues’ unfunded campaign is a stark contrast to the financial support rallied by Reverend Mark Harris. This suggests a lack of concrete backing and belief in Dues’ campaign promises among the electorate. It could have serious implications for Dues’ electoral prospects, alluding to a potential failure to permeate the political and societal fabric of District 8.
While Dues champions ‘restoring trust in the electoral process,’ his campaign reeks of contradiction. The absence of funding provides an implicit statement about how much trust the district’s voters have in his promises. Dues’ references to removing ‘dark money’ may be a hollow attempt to divert attention from his campaign’s apparent lack of financial support and sustained momentum.
Dues’ call for a change in the district’s political leadership appears even more out of touch when considering that the Republican Party has consistently dominated District 8 since 2012. It is questionable whether his appeal for such a shift resonates with the constituents who’ve shown strong support for Republican leadership time and again.
While Dues’ campaign revolves around nebulous concepts of ‘restoring the American dream,’ it’s unclear what this means in practical terms. Is it merely a rhetorical flourish designed to sound appealing, or does Dues have actionable, realistic policies to back up his grand ambition? The ambiguity may leave many voters skeptical.
On a concluding note, the competition in North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District appears to be one-sided. From a historical perspective, the Republicans have proven their prowess in the area. On the other hand, Dues’ lack of substantial backing and vaguely defined goals may lead to his undoing.
Indeed, while the campaign pitches of both candidates are laden with promises, their past deeds and current campaign status paint a clearer picture. As Dues struggles to rally support, Harris’ past missteps and strong financial standing illuminate the dichotomy between the two candidates. It remains to be seen who will win the trust of voters and execute their promises guided by their respective political ideologies.
Ultimately, the battleground of politics is as dependent on public sentiment and trust as it is on the rhetoric. The example of District 8 serves as a litmus test, demonstrating the political color of the region and the credibility of contenders. All eyes are now set on the race, waiting to see the direction the constituents will choose.