CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Voters in North Carolina's 9th District will head to the polls Tuesday for the Republican primary in the district's special election.
The district has been without representation in Congress for four months after the results of last November's election weren't certified due to allegations of absentee ballot fraud. Mark Harris, the winner of last November's election, decided not to run in the special election, citing health reasons. Five people were arrested following an investigation by the State Board of Elections.
Ten candidates have joined the race since the special election was announced, including hopefuls from Mecklenburg and Union counties. On the Democratic side, Dan McCready, who lost a tightly contested race to Harris, is running unopposed.
With so many candidates, some people are wondering if Republicans will rally around the winner. Wayne King, former vice-chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, said he believes that won't be an issue.
"I think the answer is yes to that, I think Dan Bishop is probably the front-runner," King said.
Dan Barry with the NCGOP said the biggest priority is re-branding the party after the fraud allegations.
"We've had some brand damage and anybody that acts like that did not happen has got their head in the sand," Barry said. "We're a little bruised and beat up. We've got to get back to our core voters to those that are disenfranchised from the system and remind them who we are at our core."
The winner of Tuesday's primary has to get 30% of the vote or the runner-up can ask for a second primary. The general election is set for September 10 if there's a clear winner in the Republican primary.
9TH DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTION COVERAGE
- Filing closes to run in new 9th District election
- Pat McCrory says he won't run for election in NC's 9th District
- Mark Harris, citing health issues, announces he won't run for 9th District seat
- Dan McCready running in 9th District special election
- 9th District race: Documents show similar previous investigation in 2016