CHARLOTTE, N.C. — This week, Republican congressional candidate Pat Harrigan announced he was switching his candidacy to run in the 10th Congressional District, dropping his bid for the 14th district seat.
"We've always had a home on Lake Hickory. This is near and dear place to our heart. My daughters, their entire lives had been in school in Hickory. It's where my wife and I go to church," Harrigan said on WCNC's Flashpoint.
The 10th district covers Hickory, Statesville and Mooresville.
Harrigan's announcement came shortly after incumbent Rep. Patrick McHenry that he wouldn't run for reelection in the 10th district, ending a 20-year career in the U.S. House.
Initially, Harrigan was running in the 14th district, which covers Gastonia and Kings Mountain, and faced a tough primary race against N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore.
"There's no easy way into Congress," Harrigan said.
With constantly-shifting district lines in recent years, the result of competing lawsuits, Harrigan said voters have been receptive to the switch.
"I've been welcomed with open arms."
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