U.S. House · North Carolina's 8th District
Colby Watson
CandidateD
- Race
- U.S. House · North Carolina's 8th District
- Result
- Mark Harris, projected winner
- Opponents
- Mark Harris (R); Bo Whitehead (G)
- Research
- Basic
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did4 statements · 0 votes
On housing, that means increasing supply and modernizing building regulations so more homes can actually be built, while also restricting corporate ownership from dominating the single-family housing market.
Loosen zoning rules to build more housing
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotU.S. House · 8
2026-11-03
| Mark Harris R | incumbent |
| Colby Watson D | challenger |
| Bo Whitehead G | challenger |
Won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with 47.9% of the vote over two challengers.
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
On housing, that means increasing supply and modernizing building regulations so more homes can actually be built, while also restricting corporate ownership from dominating the single-family housing market.
In a WSOC-TV candidate questionnaire, said he supports increasing housing supply and modernizing building regulations so more homes can be built.[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
I support expanding Medicare’s authority to negotiate drug prices, prohibiting medical debt from appearing on credit reports, and moving toward a universal coverage framework so that getting sick never means financial collapse.
In a WSOC-TV candidate questionnaire, said he supports moving toward a universal coverage framework and expanding Medicare drug-price negotiation.[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
The United States should not provide weapons that enable violations of international law.
In a WSOC-TV candidate questionnaire, said the U.S. should not provide weapons that enable violations of international law and that he believes Israel's government and military have committed serious human rights violations in Gaza.[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
I am not in favor of the means and methods President Trump has used in his crackdown on illegal immigration.
In a WSOC-TV candidate questionnaire, said he opposes the means and methods of the current immigration crackdown, while supporting border screening technology, additional personnel and enforcement focused on trafficking networks, smuggling and repeat violent offenders.[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Biography
Colby Watson, a Democratic small business owner and Union County native, lost the November 3, 2026 election for North Carolina's 8th Congressional District to Mark Harris. He says he built a business with his brother that grew to employ more than 50 people. He was a first-time candidate for office.[1][2][3][4]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Watson was born in Indian Trail, North Carolina, within the 8th District, and describes himself in his Ballotpedia survey as a lifelong North Carolinian, born and raised there.[2][3] He earned a high school diploma through homeschooling, and WFAE reports he says he does not hold "a fancy degree."[2][4]
Watson works as a small business owner.[2][4] According to WFAE, he describes his work as a federal contractor and says he built a business with his brother that "grew to employ more than 50 people."[4]
Watson won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with 47.9 percent of the vote over Kevin Clark and Jesse Oppenheim, and he has not previously held elected office.[6][4] He describes himself as a husband and father, and WFAE describes him as a father of two.[3][4] During the campaign, he emphasized ending corruption and money in politics, along with housing, health care costs, and farming.[3][4] He received 48.6% of the vote to Mark Harris's 50.4%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1]
In their own words
Campaign money$40K raised · 26% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30
Totals this cycle
Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.
Who gave
- Individuals $10K
- PACs & committees $700
- Party $3,000
- Own money & loans $25K
Largest committee contributions
- Price for Congress Candidate committee$1,000
Direct contributions only; outside spending is not included. Individual donors are itemized in the FEC’s receipts. All itemized receipts ↗ FEC filing ↗
Profile: /people/colby-watson
Compare all 3 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.U.S. House North Carolina's 8th District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 2.Colby Watson · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Colby Watson - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
- 4.U.S. House of Representatives NC-8 candidates · WFAE · 2026-09-22 News report
- 5.The Political Beat Candidate Guide: House of Representatives District 8 · WSOC-TV (candidate questionnaire) · 2026-02-12 Candidate's own words
- 6.United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
- 7.Colby Watson - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words