Like the election fraud controversy itself, the special election will attract national attention. Some analysts say it could be a preview of 2020 in what once again is expected to be a swing state, as well as the state that will host the Republican National Convention.
One candidate each from the Green Party and Libertarian Party are running. But with no other contested races, Republicans will hold the only primary contest on May 14. The general election is scheduled for Sept. 10. If no candidate gets more than 30 percent of the vote, a runoff election will be held Sept. 10, followed by a general election Nov. 5.
After the N.C. State Board of Elections voted unanimously to call for a new election last month, Harris announced he wouldn’t run. That opened up the contest to a wide range of Republicans seeking to represent the district that runs from southeast Charlotte to rural areas south and east of Fayetteville.