# Wesley 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.
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.

## 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. He has been twice re-elected, defeating Republican challengers Amy Bynum in 2020 and Joshua Niday in 2022.
On March 13, 2023, Harris announced a run for North Carolina State Treasurer. He earned the Democratic nomination on March 5, 2024 with 66.59% of the vote. He lost to Republican Brad Briner.

### Committee assignments
#### 2023–24 session

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

#### 2021–22 session

* 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.

## Electoral history
### 2024

North Carolina State Treasurer Democratic primary election, 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Wesley Harris | 433,791 | 66.59% |
| | Democratic | Gabe Esparza | 217,689 | 33.41% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 651,480 | 100% |
North Carolina State Treasurer general election, 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brad Briner | 2,900,059 | 52.45% |
| | Democratic | Wesley Harris | 2,629,444 | 47.55% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,529,503 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2022

North Carolina House of Representatives 105th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Wesley Harris (incumbent) | 17,545 | 56.87% |
| | Republican | Joshua Niday | 13,307 | 43.13% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,852 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2020

North Carolina House of Representatives 105th district general election, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Wesley Harris (incumbent) | 25,732 | 54.78% |
| | Republican | Amy Bynum | 21,245 | 45.22% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 46,977 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2018

North Carolina House of Representatives 105th district Democratic primary election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Wesley Harris | 2,244 | 70.48% |
| | Democratic | Ayoub Ouederni | 940 | 29.52% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,184 | 100% |
North Carolina House of Representatives 105th district general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Wesley Harris | 18,362 | 52.29% |
| | Republican | Scott Stone (incumbent) | 16,753 | 47.71% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,115 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |