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Day 4 thread of the #NC09 hearing. Watch live here: wral.com/news/state/ncc…
NEW: Last night at 9, NCSBE received more documents from the Mark Harris committee. The documents are being presented to the board now #NC09
One of the documents is a message from Mark Harris to Judge Marion Warren, who is known to be one of the people to vouch for McCrae Dowless.
Harris wrote to Warren about McCrae “The guy whose absentee ballot project for Johnson could have put me in the US House this term.” #NC09
Harris wrote to Warren about McCrae “The guy whose absentee ballot project for Johnson could have put me in the US House this term.” #NC09
The attorney for the Mark Harris committee is trying to explain why these documents weren’t produced until yesterday. The attorney says they thought the produced all relevant documents within the scope of the subpoena #NC09
NCSBE appears to be frustrated that these documents were produced so late #NC09
NCSBE attorney @josh_lawson says the documents were specifically mentioned in the subpoena and within its scope. Lawson- "we have been aware of those documents that have never been produced for quite some time." #NC09
NCSBE attorney Josh Lawson says Harris attorneys didn't offer to produce the new relevant documents until 15 minutes before John Harris took the stand #NC09
Harris campaign committee attorney admits he made a mistake. "I am here to own that." #NC09
Harris campaign committee attorney says there is no more communication out there between Harris and Dowless, Harris and Yates and Harris and Red Dome #NC09
McCready attorney Marc Elias asks the board to make an adverse inference for the manner the documents were produced as evidence of guilt or wrongdoing. Absent that, Elias says Yates and John Harris should be recalled to testify again #NC09
Elias' beef is with the attorney for the Mark Harris campaign committee. Elias has no issues with Harris' personal attorneys David Freedman and Alexander Dale. He says they have been honest #NC09
Elias describes the documents as explosive #NC09
NCSBE Chair Bob Cordle says the board will consider a vote on whether to make an adverse inference #NC09
Harris campaign committee attorney says they did not extensively search for campaign manager Jason Williams' records.
NCSBE Chair Bob Cordle says this is a concern.
Elias says witness list may have to be expanded.
Cordle says an adverse inference will be considered #NC09
NCSBE Chair Bob Cordle says this is a concern.
Elias says witness list may have to be expanded.
Cordle says an adverse inference will be considered #NC09
This hearing *likely* just got longer #NC09
NCSBE Board Member Jeff Carmon III says it is "a disgrace to our profession" that the documents were not produced sooner #NC09
NCSBE Board Member Stella Anderson asked this question. She is not happy #NC09
We are taking a 5 minute break. Lawyers are flustered. Whirlwind of a morning. #NC09
NCSBE Chair Bob Cordle says the lack of production of documents, "is not acceptable." #NC09
The 5 minute break was an 18 minute break but we are finally getting started again #NC09
Elias asks for press releases sent by the Harris campaign to be entered into record. The press releases are about the Harris campaign's cooperation in the investigation and Elias notes Jason Williams is listed as the campaign manager on them-- his records weren't searched #NC09
Elias asks for the board to issue subpoenas to all of the major Harris campaign employees if an adverse inference isn't made #NC09
During lunch break, NCSBE Chair Bob Cordle says he will talk to attorneys about what they will need to do if the hearing doesn't wrap up this week (!) #NC09
Harris says Judge Marion Warrren informed him after the 2016 election that he should have hired McCrae Dowless. Warren offered to introduce the two if Harris ever ran again
"He said Todd Johnson didn't beat you, McCrae Dowless and his get out the vote program did." #NC09
"He said Todd Johnson didn't beat you, McCrae Dowless and his get out the vote program did." #NC09
The meeting between Harris and Dowless was at Ray Britt's furniture store in April 2017. Warren, Pat Melvin and Walter MacDuffie were also in attendance. Sheriff McVicker was supposed to be there but had a funeral #NC09
The meeting took place in the showroom of Ray Britt's furniture store. Harris asked those in attendance what the landscape was of Bladen County politics. Broader than just the absentee ballot program #NC09
Harris says Dowless described the program as getting people to fill out absentee ballot request forms and then sending workers out to the voters to ask if they need assistance and urge them to vote. Harris says Dowless said time and time again, "We don't take ballots" #NC09
Harris says Dowless told him people were paid per absentee ballot request forms that they brought in. He said they were paid $4 or $4.50 per request form. Dowless told Harris if you pay Bladen people by the hour they would just go and sit under a tree #NC09
Harris never knew how much Dowless was paying his workers to follow up with people after they received their ballots #NC09
Mark Harris says he asked Andy Yates to meet with McCrae Dowless to make sure everything is good and to figure out a pay structure #NC09
At the April 2017 meeting, Harris says he knew Dowless helped Todd Johnson with Bladen absentee during the 2016 primary. Harris doesn't recall asking Dowless if it was the same program he used for Johnson #NC09
Mark Harris says he thinks he called his son John on the way home from the meeting. Mark says he doesn't think John knew about the meeting #NC09
Mark says his son said, "Dad you need to make sure you understand all the aspects of this." #NC09
Mark says he was convinced after that meeting it all came down to relationships and he was convinced that the relationships McCrae had in that community would convince people to send in their ballots #NC09
Mark Harris thinks he asked his son over the phone about the legality of collecting absentee ballot request forms #NC09
NCSBE pointing out John told his dad, “the key thing that I am fairly certain they do that is illegal is that they collect the completed absentee ballots.”
Harris responds that was John’s opinion #NC09
Harris responds that was John’s opinion #NC09
Mark Harris says McCrae's absentee ballot program was different because:
- It was labor intensive with more follow up
- The relationships said a lot in a small community like Bladen #NC09
- It was labor intensive with more follow up
- The relationships said a lot in a small community like Bladen #NC09
NEW: Mark Harris calls his son a "good prophetic" for his April 2017 emailed statement about the program that a "good test is if you're comfortable with the full process he uses being broadcast on the news." #NC09
Harris says he took two weeks to think and pray about hiring McCrae Dowless. After two weeks of thought he concluded that he wanted to engage McCrae #NC09
Mark Harris says there was a sense of call and purpose to step into the arena and run for office #NC09
Mark Harris says he never called Todd Johnson to ask if McCrae was collecting ballots. Harris also never asked the other people in the meeting if McCrae collected ballots. He says McCrae was pretty clear in the meeting #NC09
Mark Harris says he was very proud of his son for testifying yesterday.
But he says his son at the time was 27-years-old and was just looking at data. He notes his son had never been to Bladen, met McCrae or met the other local leaders #NC09
But he says his son at the time was 27-years-old and was just looking at data. He notes his son had never been to Bladen, met McCrae or met the other local leaders #NC09
Through these comments, Harris hints at why he valued local community leaders over his son's warnings about McCrae Dowless:
- Son was 27, living in DC and basing opinion on data
- Son had never been in Bladen
- Never met McCrae
- Never met other local Bladen leaders #NC09
- Son was 27, living in DC and basing opinion on data
- Son had never been in Bladen
- Never met McCrae
- Never met other local Bladen leaders #NC09
Harris says a red flag wasn't raised about McCrae's workers when McCrae mentioned they would "go sit under a tree," if they were paid by the hour #NC09
Looking back at it now, Harris says he "perhaps" sees why paying workers per absentee ballot request form is a bad arrangement #NC09
NCSBE is now showing the first check from Harris to McCrae. It was addressed to Patriots for Progress #NC09
Harris says McCrae never told him Patriots for Progress PAC was out of compliance at the time #NC09
Harris does not agree with his son's testimony that McCrae Dowless was paid by Red Dome as an extra layer of protection #NC09
NEW: Mark Harris says he didn't know Andy Yates didn't require documentation from McCrae Dowless #NC09
Mark Harris says he was surprised to hear how much Red Dome paid McCrae Dowless. He estimated it was only $60K- $70K. It was actually more than $130K. He says he is irritated he did not follow this money more closely #NC09
Mark Harris says his 2016 campaign was more contained than his 2018 campaign #NC09
We are taking a 10 minute break #NC09
The 10 minute break was 22 minutes long but we are coming back into session now #NC09
Mark Harris says he never discussed his son's concerns about ballots being batched to McCrae Dowless #NC09
Mark Harris never provided McCrae Dowless with John's email about ballots being batched #NC09
The Patriots for Progress checks written by Mark Harris for McCrae Dowless were endorsed by Jeff Smith. Smith and Dowless would later have a falling out over the sheriff’s race and the sheriff’s raid of Smith’s sweepstakes parlor #NC09
Harris says McCrae Dowless told him about Jeff Smith’s note about collecting unsealed ballots. Harris says Dowless told him he left the meeting after hearing that. But testimony from earlier this week revealed the meeting was at Dowless’ home #NC09
Stepping out of the hearing for a quick live shot at Noon. Watch live at wsoctv.com/live-stream #NC09 @wsoctv
Mark Harris says he did not ask Andy Yates to do a background check on McCrae Dowless. He was grateful Yates did a cursory check. Harris says he asked Yates to talk to McCrae and find out what he does #NC09
Mark Harris says the two checks he wrote to Patriots for Progress were not provided to his campaign treasurer. They were personal checks written before the campaign committee formed. He was never reimbursed. The checks were for a commitment that Dowless would work for him #NC09
NCSBE is now asking Mark Harris about his message to Judge Marion Warren. This message wasn’t produced until last night #NC09
Judge Marion Warren described McCrae Dowless as "a good ole boy from Bladen County who eats/sleeps/drinks politics." #NC09
Mark Harris says it was McCrae's nature that he would call him. Harris says it was his nature that he would answer. Harris says he believes he became almost a pastoral figure for McCrae and his whole staff. #NC09
NEW: Mark Harris says he understands the investigation is not a political hit job and that it stemmed from concerns by NCSBE staff #NC09
The night before John testified, Mark Harris says his other son told him over the phone that John was subpoenaed #NC09
Adding to the thread:
Dr. Stella Anderson says Harris had quite a change in attitude about McCrae Dowless going from an email saying "guess he didn't like the Dems cutting into his business" to hiring Dowless for his campaign. #NC09
Mark Harris says he believed John Harris' emails were already turned over #NC09
NEW: Mark Harris says he viewed John's emails as family conversation. He viewed every conversation with him as family. He says he did not consider John's messages to be a warning.
"I thought he was overreacting with his comments." #NC09
"I thought he was overreacting with his comments." #NC09
NEW: Mark Harris says he did not believe John's emails were warnings.
"I didn't take it as a warning, danger ahead." #NC09
"I didn't take it as a warning, danger ahead." #NC09
NCSBE member Jeff Carmon says it was "painfully clear" from John's emails that he was saying "daddy don't mess with this guy." #NC09
NCSBE member Jeff Carmon says John's email was "beyond a red flag." He says it was his son with no ax to grind wanting to make sure Mark was protected #NC09
Mark Harris says he reads this emails now in a different light.
"I'm his Dad, and I know he is a little judgmental and has a little taste of arrogance."
Harris admits, "He was right." #NC09
"I'm his Dad, and I know he is a little judgmental and has a little taste of arrogance."
Harris admits, "He was right." #NC09
NCSBE member asks Mark Harris if he just wanted to win. "You didn't take one step to see if ballots have been harvested previously, you didn't ask him if he was harvesting ballots." #NC09
Mark Harris does not specifically answer NCSBE member Jeff Carmon's question if "he just wanted to win." #NC09
NCSBE rests. Dan McCready's attorney Marc Elias is questioning Harris now #NC09
Mark Harris does not remember if he made a statement saying the emails between him and John would not be a part of this #NC09
We are taking a lunch break until 2:00. Harris attorney David Freedman says he needs to talk to NCSBE attorney Josh Lawson in the meantime #NC09
I know I must sound like a broken record at this point but really this has been just another stunning day of testimony #NC09
NEW: NCSBE comes back into session only to make a motion to go into closed session until 2:30 #NC09
Interesting mood as we wait for NCSBE to comeback into session- No sign of Mark Harris. His campaign manager Jason Williams just left the building on the phone #NC09
Dan McCready's attorney Marc Elias is back in the room #NC09
NCSBE is emerging from closed session. Standby for something #NC09
We're back into session and Mark Harris is here #NC09
BREAKING: Mark Harris CALLS FOR A NEW ELECTION @wsoctv
Mark Harris was repeatedly questioned whether he told anyone that he thought John Harris' emails to him would be private. He repeatedly said he thought they would be public.
After lunch, Harris apologized and said he just remembered telling his youngest son that #NC09
After lunch, Harris apologized and said he just remembered telling his youngest son that #NC09
Harris blamed not remembering on complications from his recent hospitalization. He said he had multiple strokes in the hospital #NC09
Adding to the thread:
NCSBE accepts Marc Elias' motion to make an adverse inference for McCrae Dowless not testifying.
Chair Bob Cordle denies motions for adverse inferences for Harris not providing all documents and for Harris leaving testimony #NC09
Chair Bob Cordle denies motions for adverse inferences for Harris not providing all documents and for Harris leaving testimony #NC09
David Freedman declines to present new evidence #NC09
NCGOP Executive Director @DallasWoodhouse tweets NCGOP supports Mark Harris' decision to call for a new election #NC09
Another big moment-- presented after the chaos of Mark Harris calling for a new election: #NC09
Federal law mandates 45 days for absentee voting.
If a new election is ordered by NCSBE, with a primary and a chance for a second primary, we could be looking at a late summer/ fall election #NC09
If a new election is ordered by NCSBE, with a primary and a chance for a second primary, we could be looking at a late summer/ fall election #NC09
Statement from NCGOP Chair Robin Hayes:
"We respect Dr. Harris' decision on behalf of the voters... The people of North Carolina deserve nothing less than the full confidence and trust in the electoral system."
"We respect Dr. Harris' decision on behalf of the voters... The people of North Carolina deserve nothing less than the full confidence and trust in the electoral system."
In closing argument, @marceelias calls for a new election. Harris attorney David Freedman says they do not resist that. #NC09
Freedman: "we agree the actions that occurred in Bladen County cast doubt on the election but evidence does not show Mark Harris was aware of McCrae Dowless' activities" #NC09
Libertarian candidate Jeff Scott says he has no problem with there being a new election #NC09
NCSBE is now deliberating #NC09
A decision on whether to certify the judicial race in Robeson County has been deferred
Republican NCSBE member Ken Raymond says the #NC09 race was tainted-- not just tainted by McCrae Dowless but also by the Bladen County Improvement Association
There will also be new elections for a Bladen County Commission seat and the Bladen County Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor position
Republican NCSBE member David Black says he hopes the NCSBE investigation shows the board will do all it can to make sure elections are run fairly and properly. #NC09
Black: "This did not help the state of North Carolina but we have turned the corner now." #NC09
Democrat NCSBE member Stella Anderson says the board may need to look at options for oversight for the Bladen BOE office
NCSBE attorney @josh_lawson says the board will have to meet and vote on election dates at a future meeting. Governor orders the new dates for #NC03, Board orders the new dates for #NC09 @wsoctv
Marc Elias says Mark Harris was facing a long cross examination. He says he was prepared to show Harris lied to the media and potentially lied in testimony. He declines to say whether Harris should be criminally charged #NC09
Elias declines to say whether he will challenge NC law requiring a new primary #nc09
Harris attorney David Freedman tells @AllisonWSOC9 that Mark Harris regrets hiring McCrae Dowless. Freedman says the actions of Dowless put Harris' reputation and health at risk #NC09 @wsoctv
Dan McCready is already fundraising for a new election #NC09
Just in- statement from @McCreadyForNC: “From the moment the first vote was stolen in North Carolina, from the moment the first voice was silenced by election fraud, the people have deserved justice. Today was a great step forward for democracy in North Carolina.” #NC09 @wsoctv
Pittenger and McCrory have previously said they wouldn't seek #NC09 in a new election-- does the testimony change anything? We'll have to see.
Mark Harris' attorney David Freedman tells @AllisonWSOC9 he hasn't had any conversations with Harris about whether he will run in a new #NC09 election #ncpol @wsoctv
@threadreaderapp please unroll
