NC District 9 GOP Primary Could Be Close Again

CHARLOTTE — It was the closest congressional primary in 2016, with just 133 votes separating the top two candidates in North Carolina’s 9th district.

Both incumbent Robert Pittenger and Charlotte pastor Mark Harris are back in 2018, anticipating another tight race for the GOP slot in the general election.

Rep. Pittenger barely survived a primary challenge from his fellow Republican in 2016 to win his third term. Both men are battling for the 9th district again.

“Who would have predicted a year ago where we’d be today in this economy,” says Pittenger. “Where we’d be in national security in our country today. So I feel very good about our prospects.”

“Just sort of a vacuum of leadership,” says Harris. “And people across the state were saying, you know, we need individuals who are going to step into this arena that are really just going to come and make a difference.”

The reconstructed 9th district now includes eight counties, including some of the poorest in the state.

“It should be one of the priorities to reach out to your constituents,” says Clarence Goins, Jr. “Be more involved in the area.”

Goins, who lives in Cumberland County, is also in the GOP primary race. He says his opponents are spending too much time arguing about who is more conservative, and more in line with President Trump. Instead of talking about representing the people.

“To make laws,” says Goins about the duties. “To legislate. Not to be a cheerleader or an advocate, 100%, 97%, whatever it is, for the executive branch.”

Hurricane Matthew recovery, job creation, immigration and the budget are all big issues for the candidates.

“They passed a $1.3 trillion omnibus bill, but couldn’t find the $26 billion for the president’s border wall in that,” says Harris. “That was concerning.”

“I voted for the budget because it had military funding in it that Secretary Mattis said was absolutely critical,” says Pittenger. “Mr. Harris said he opposed that budget. And he opposed the funding we had for Hurricane Matthew.”

Political experts are keeping a close eye on North Carolina’s 9th district, saying it could be one of three Republican-held districts in the state that Democrats have a chance to flip.