After fraud probe, new primary may replace GOP candidate

RALEIGH, N.C.

Legislation quickly passed by North Carolina’s lawmakers would prepare a path for Republicans to dump their nominee in a still-undecided U.S. House race marred with ballot fraud allegations.

“I think [legislators are] worried that Mark Harris might be damaged goods, and they want to have the opportunity to have a different Republican nominee,” said Carter Wrenn, a Republican operative and consultant to former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms and others for more than 40 years. “That’s how I read those tea leaves.”

If the state elections board decides ballot irregularities or other problems cast the true outcome into doubt and force a redo, the legislation – if allowed to go into law by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper – would require new primary elections in the 9th Congressional District race, in addition to a new general election.