At a Charlotte city council meeting last night, Republican Mark Harris triggered a fire alarm as he fled from reporters attempting to ask questions on the disputed election for North Carolina’s 9th congressional district:
As if the alarm didn't give it away, Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center security officers confirm Harris left through the emergency fire exit to avoid talking to the media #NC09 @wsoctv
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) January 8, 2019
Video of his escape here:
Harris outran reporter Joe Bruno and escaped to a nearby church:
To avoid the media, Mark Harris ran down a fire exit staircase. A man tried to prevent us from following but we still did. The alarm went off as he ran out. When media caught up he sprinted across the street to the First Baptist Church of Charlotte's parking lot #NC09 @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/vDFca16EYx
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) January 8, 2019
Terry Allen from Fox 46, however, ended up trapped in the fire stairwell:
Not only is it a fire exit, from here Harris entered the door locks you inside the staircase. @TerranceFOX46 got trapped inside while trying to follow Harris. We just let him out #NC09 @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/bJPNDBqjXq
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) January 8, 2019
Harris later tweeted that he ran away so he could watch the Clemson-Alabama national championship game, which is a pretty good reason tbh:
Hey man,
Sorry I missed you guys tonight. I had to get to the kickoff of the #NationalChampionship game. We’ll have plenty to talk about in the days ahead.#GoTigers https://t.co/ahd48d1g6I
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNC9) January 8, 2019
NC Democratic party chairman Wayne Goodwin, a formal fire marshall, scolded Harris for setting off the fire alarm:
NC Dem Party Chairman: #NC09 https://t.co/a6Df77cWOe
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) January 8, 2019
And Harris’ Dem opponent, Dan McCready, got in a little dig as well:
Dan McCready's response to Harris' departure #NC09 #ncpol @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/fQf7sr4ynG
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) January 8, 2019
Harris did sit down with reporters today and apologized for his quick exit last night:
ONE ON ONE with @MarkHarrisNC9 He apologized for skipping out last night on reporters’ questions after a meeting at the Charlotte government center. MORE on what he had to say on the #NC09 election fraud investigation tonight on @FOX46News News at 5 & 6. pic.twitter.com/k1KHPss2s5
— Robin Kanady (@RobinFox46) January 8, 2019
The November election has yet to be certified over allegations of election fraud by Republicans and it doesn’t look like things will be settled anytime soon:
Latest on #NC09 timetable – @NCSBE expects new board will set a new date for postponed Jan. 11 evidentiary hearing when members are sworn in and seated "on or shortly after January 31." pic.twitter.com/YHLGtcweRF
— Ely Portillo (@ESPortillo) January 8, 2019
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Related:
BREAKING: Rep. Steny Hoyer says Republican Mark Harris WILL NOT be seated Jan. 3 #NC09 https://t.co/JqDxb64fbc
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) December 28, 2018
GAME OVER? NC GOP exec. dir. says he’s open to new election in the #NC09 https://t.co/6hA3CoTWRr
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) December 6, 2018
Memo to libs: There have been complaints about mail-in ballots in the #NC09 for years https://t.co/JbicKOllJK
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) December 5, 2018
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