WBTV sits down one-on-one with Congressman Elect Mark Harris

INDIAN TRAIL, NC (WBTV) - After his opponent officially conceded on Wednesday, Mark Harris says he’s feeling rested and ready to take on his new role in congress.

“I now am representing all of the ninth district, and that is people who voted for me and people who didn’t vote for me. It’s now my responsibility as a congressman to do everything I can to serve this district to the best of my ability,” Harris said in a one-on-one interview with WBTV Thursday.

So how does Harris plan to tap into those voters who did not side with him during the election?

“I think you have to listen to what is it that they’re looking for? What is it that they’re wanting to see addressed? Dan ran with the theme, the slogan of country over party, and this is going to be a great opportunity in the house now, to see if we can do that,” Harris said.

Harris comes into congress, not only as a first-timer, but he’s also joining a republican minority in the house. Even still, he says he’s focused on finding solutions from the start, and truly working with his democratic counterparts to find viable answers to what he believes are the most pressing issues, including immigration and healthcare.

“I do think we have a window of opportunity here to get some things done in 2019, to really get some things done, and there are some serious issues that are out there that I think we need to have some conversations across the aisle about, and see if we can find some solutions to healthcare, see if we can get that compromise that needs to be there on immigration, to see if we can move the ball down the field," he said.

Harris says the one thing he wants voters to know about him as he heads to Washington, is that he’s a husband, father and grandfather first, and he plans to hold onto those principles tightly in office. However, he knows that could prove challenging.

“I find wherever I go, that it doesn’t matter the person’s political perspective most of the time, doesn’t matter the perspective from which they’ve come, and their background even growing up, we all want the best for our children and our grandchildren. And I’ve committed throughout this campaign, that I want to do what is right,” Harris said. “That’s what I’m going to Washington believing, and I’ve had a lot of people say you better come back with that intact, don’t let it change you, and that’s my prayer, that it won’t change me.”

For more on what Mark Harris had to say about the tight race he ran with Dan McCready, with what he and McCready discussed before McCready conceded yesterday and how the two plan to work together moving forward. Take a listen to the extended interview clips below. The clips also include additional comments on healthcare, immigration, and Harris’ top priorities once he gets to Washington.

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