Wesley Harris

For the American physicist, see Wesley L. Harris.

Wesley Ryan Harris (born September 22, 1986) is an American economist, Democratic former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives and was the 2024 Democratic nominee for North Carolina State Treasurer.

Wesley Harris
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 105th district
In office January 1, 2019 – January 1, 2025
Preceded by	Scott Stone
Succeeded by	Laura Budd (Redistricting)
Personal details
Born	Wesley Ryan Harris (1986-09-22) September 22, 1986 (age 38) Taylorsville, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA) Clemson University (MA, PhD)
Website	State House website Campaign website

He represented the state's 105th district, including constituents in southwestern Mecklenburg County, from 2019 to 2025.

Early life and education

Born in Taylorsville, North Carolina, Harris received a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He later attended Clemson University earning a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in economics.^[1]

Political career

Harris won his first election on November 6, 2018, securing 52 percent of the vote over incumbent Republican Scott Stone, secured 48 percent.^[2] He has been twice re-elected, defeating Republican challengers Amy Bynum in 2020 and Joshua Niday in 2022.^[3]

On March 13, 2023, Harris announced a run for North Carolina State Treasurer.^[4] He earned the Democratic nomination on March 5, 2024 with 66.59% of the vote.^[5] He lost to Republican Brad Briner.^[6]

Committee assignments

2023–24 session^[7]

• Agriculture
• Finance
• Judiciary 3
• Marine Resources and Aquaculture
• Transportation

2021–22 session^[8]

• Education - Universities
• Finance
• Judiciary III
• Marine Resources and Aquaculture
• Transportation

2019–20 session

• Finance
• Judiciary
• Transportation
• Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee

Personal life

Harris lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.^[1]

Electoral history

2024

North Carolina State Treasurer Democratic primary election, 2024^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wesley Harris	433,791	66.59%
	Democratic	Gabe Esparza	217,689	33.41%
Total votes			651,480	100%

North Carolina State Treasurer general election, 2024^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Brad Briner	2,900,059	52.45%
	Democratic	Wesley Harris	2,629,444	47.55%
Total votes			5,529,503	100%
	Republican hold

2022

North Carolina House of Representatives 105th district general election, 2022^[11]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wesley Harris (incumbent)	17,545	56.87%
	Republican	Joshua Niday	13,307	43.13%
Total votes			30,852	100%
	Democratic hold

2020

North Carolina House of Representatives 105th district general election, 2020^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wesley Harris (incumbent)	25,732	54.78%
	Republican	Amy Bynum	21,245	45.22%
Total votes			46,977	100%
	Democratic hold

2018

North Carolina House of Representatives 105th district Democratic primary election, 2018^[13]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wesley Harris	2,244	70.48%
	Democratic	Ayoub Ouederni	940	29.52%
Total votes			3,184	100%

North Carolina House of Representatives 105th district general election, 2018^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wesley Harris	18,362	52.29%
	Republican	Scott Stone (incumbent)	16,753	47.71%
Total votes			35,115	100%
	Democratic gain from Republican

References

1. "Wesley Harris' Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
2. "North Carolina Election Results - Election Results 2018 - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
3. "Ballotpedia". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
4. "Mecklenburg Democrat to run for NC treasurer, says office shouldn't have 'partisan games'". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
5. "03/05/2024 OFFICIAL PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS - STATEWIDE". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
6. https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/republican-brad-briner-elected-next-north-carolina-state-treasurer/
7. "Representative Wesley Harris, PhD (Dem)". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
8. "Wesley Harris". Retrieved January 7, 2022.
9. North Carolina State Board of Elections.
10. North Carolina State Board of Elections.
11. North Carolina State Board of Elections.
12. North Carolina State Board of Elections.
13. North Carolina State Board of Elections.
14. North Carolina State Board of Elections.

External links

• Representative Wesley Harris legislative website
• Wesley Harris for State Treasurer campaign website

• Profile at Vote Smart

North Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded by Scott Stone	Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 105th district 2019–2025	Succeeded by Tricia Cotham
Party political offices
Preceded by Ronnie Chatterji	Democratic nominee for North Carolina State Treasurer 2024	Most recent