Republican Pat Harrigan, a businessman and former Green Beret, announced Tuesday that he’ll run for Rep. Patrick McHenry’s (R-N.C.) seat, after the former Speaker pro tempore announced he’ll retire at the end of this term.
“Following Congressman McHenrys retirement, I’m running for Congress in North Carolina’s 10th District,” Harrigan said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, just after news broke that McHenry would not run for reelection in 2024.
It’s his second cycle trying for the U.S. House after he ran last year for the state’s 14th District, which was eventually won by Democratic Rep. Jeff Jackson.
“Faced with President Biden’s disastrous policies at home and abroad, our country needs experienced, battle-tested leadership,” Harrigan said in another post. “I’m ready to step up in Congress to lead the charge for a better, stronger America.”
He originally planned to run against North Carolina state Rep. Tom Moore (R) in the state’s 14th District next year, according to Axios, but he is now setting his sights on Washington. Jackson is now running for attorney general, after the state’s maps were redrawn, favoring Republicans.
Harrigan said in his launch video that “God has placed a calling on our lives to enter the political arena,” and contended the calling “has come at a cost,” referencing an incident last year in which shots were fired at his home in Hickory, N.C.
McHenry, who served as Speaker pro tempore after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted earlier this year, announced Tuesday he’ll retire after nearly two decades in Congress.
“This is not a decision I come to lightly,” he said, “but I believe there is a season for everything and—for me—this season has come to an end.”