Day One Of The 9th District Race Evidentiary Hearing Yields Surprises And New Information

RALEIGH, NC — New information and surprising revelations during the first day of the 9th congressional district evidentiary hearing.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections listened to evidence and testimony from people involved in the race between Dan McCready and Mark Harris.

Harris received 905 more votes than McCready in the November election.

But accusations of election fraud led us to this point. A full investigation and hearing in front of the state board.

McCrae Dowless, the political operative at the center of the investigation was called to testify towards the end of the day. He wanted immunity for his testimony.

“This board is unwilling to give the witness here, and particularly Mr. Dowless immunity for his testimony,” said Bob Cordle, the board chairman.

Without the protection, Dowless declined to testify.

WCCB asked his attorney if Dowless has done anything illegal.

“No, no,” said his attorney Cynthia Singletary.

Both sides were disappointed in Dowless’ decision not to testify. The rest of the day was filled with new information that caught even Mark Harris’ attorneys off guard.

“Completely contrary to what Dr Harris had been told by McCrae Dowless and what McCrae Dowless public statements have been.” Said Alex Dale, Harris’ Attorney.

State investigators laid out evidence of what they called a coordinated and unlawful absentee ballot collection scheme.

The first witness, Lisa Britt admitted to collecting ballots by hand, signing as a witness, and dropping the ballots off at McCrae Dowless’ office.

“If some of the things haven’t been filled in, we would fill in the ones who had not been filled in,” said Britt.

Britt said Dowless made sure the stamps on ballot envelopes were placed correctly and that the ink from witness signatures matched. she says he did this to “throw off the elections board.”

State investigators say Dowless also tried to obstruct the investigation during a meeting with his workers including Britt.

“He said as long as we all stick together well all be fine because they don’t have anything on us,” said Britt.

Investigators also showed a message they say Dowless sent to Britt last week telling her to plead the 5th at Monday’s hearing.

“This is the largest, most extensive example of election fraud that I’ve ever been involved in,” said Mark Elias, the Attorney for Dan McCready.

Elias said today’s testimony points to one person.

“He did it as an agent of Mark Harris. He was hired by Mark Harris, he spoke to Mark Harris,” said Elias.

Meanwhile, Dale and David Freedman, who also represent Mark Harris are distancing themselves from McCrae Dowless.

“The Harris campaign had absolutely no knowledge of this,” said Dale.

Dale says he expects Andy Yates to testify tomorrow. Yates runs Red Dome group which is Harris’ consulting firm that paid Dowless to do his operations.