Harris supports new election if there was any wrongdoing in House race

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Republican Mark Harris, who has come under fire for possible absentee ballot fraud in the House District 9 race, tweeted a statement Friday afternoon.

Harris defeated his opponent, Democrat Dan McCready, by only 905 votes in November.

However, the state elections board refused to certify the results because of possible elections fraud in Bladen County.

[SPECIAL SECTION: District 9 investigation]

[US House District 9 race investigation: How we got here]

In the video Harris tweeted, he said his campaign is cooperating with the state elections board.

“Just as I have always trusted the decisions of the voters, I trust that this investigation will be full and complete, examining any irregularities that could have benefited either party in this election or past election cycles,” Harris said.

He said he was not aware of any wrongdoing.

He also said if there was any wrongdoing from either side that would have changed the outcome of the election, he supports a new election.

McCready withdrew his concession in the race on Thursday.

The man the state board confirmed as a person of interest, McCrae Dowless, was employed by Red Dome, which is a group working for the Harris’ campaign.

Eyewitness News reporter Joe Bruno uncovered the absentee ballot scheme, in which workers admit Dowless paid them to pick up ballots and bring them to him. That is illegal in North Carolina.

Former Charlotte City Council candidate Pete Givens also told Channel 9 that Harris introduced him to Dowless. Givens said Harris told him that Dowless has a process.

We also discovered this filing from the Harris campaign, which said more than $34,000 is owed to Red Dome.

McCready said he believes Harris bankrolled criminal activity.

McCready believes Harris knew what was happening.

“I don't see how you can hire criminals, receive daily reports on the number of absentee ballots they are getting in and then go and recommend his services to other politicians and not know exactly what is going on,” McCready said.

State law allows the board to call for a new election if irregularities occurred to such an extent that they taint the results of the entire election or cast doubt on its fairness.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Disputed NC House race puts spotlight on 'ballot harvesting'
• TRACKING: Charlotte region bracing for major winter storm this weekend
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District monitoring weather conditions closely
• WATCH: Keith Monday's Friday forecast outlook
• Police: Man hit by own car after thief steals it during sale

Cox Media Group