# Pat Harrigan # Pat Harrigan Pat Harrigan is an American Republican politician serving as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 10th congressional district since 2025. A combat-decorated former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret officer, nuclear engineer, and entrepreneur, he applies his military and business experience to advocate for national security, economic growth, and conservative values in Congress. Harrigan graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in nuclear engineering before commissioning as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army. He completed Ranger School and deployed to Afghanistan as a platoon leader, later volunteering for Special Forces training to become a Green Beret, where he led operations amid deteriorating conditions and earned two Bronze Stars for combat leadership. After military service, he co-founded a firearms manufacturing business with his wife, starting from modest beginnings and expanding it into a facility producing American-made defense products and creating jobs in Western North Carolina. In Congress, Harrigan focuses on strengthening defense capabilities, promoting energy independence, and advancing science and technology policies informed by his engineering background, including appointments to relevant House subcommittees. His tenure emphasizes restoring accountability to Washington through principles of bold leadership and integrity drawn from his battlefield and entrepreneurial challenges. ## Early life and education ### Early life Patrick Luke Harrigan was born on June 21, 1987, in San Diego County, California. He grew up in the area and graduated from Francis Parker High School in San Diego. ### Education Harrigan attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering. ## Military service ### Training and roles Following his graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Harrigan was commissioned as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army. He completed Ranger School and assumed his initial role as an infantry platoon leader stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Seeking expertise in unconventional warfare, Harrigan volunteered for the Army Special Forces; after being selected, he relocated to North Carolina to undergo the rigorous Special Forces Qualification Course. Upon earning the Green Beret, he served as a Special Forces officer, leading operational teams and managing complex missions that demanded high-stakes decision-making and resource oversight. ### Deployments and awards Harrigan deployed to Afghanistan as an infantry platoon leader early in his career, commanding a remote combat outpost in the Arghandab Valley where he oversaw more than 350 personnel amid challenging terrain and insurgent threats. Later, after qualifying as a Green Beret, he returned for additional tours with U.S. Army Special Forces, leading detachment operations in increasingly complex and volatile environments that demanded adaptive tactics against persistent enemy activity. His leadership in these high-risk settings earned him two Bronze Stars for meritorious achievement and valor in combat. ## Professional career ### Engineering work Harrigan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2009. This technical education equipped him with expertise in nuclear principles and systems engineering, which he drew upon following his military service to inform civilian professional applications. His background as a nuclear engineer has been highlighted in contexts emphasizing problem-solving in technical domains. ### Entrepreneurship Harrigan co-owns ZRODelta, a firearms manufacturing company he helped establish in 2017, specializing in handguns, rifles, and precision shooting accessories. He and his wife launched the venture modestly in a double-wide trailer near Fayetteville, North Carolina, before expanding operations to a dedicated facility in Burke County's Rutherford College area. This growth reflects his entrepreneurial approach to scaling manufacturing businesses amid industry challenges. In addition to ZRODelta, Harrigan co-owns US Optics and UnBrandedAR, entities focused on optical systems and AR-15 components, integrating technical precision into product development and operations. These ventures demonstrate his success in building a portfolio of interconnected firearms-related enterprises, leveraging expertise in manufacturing processes to drive innovation and market presence. ## U.S. House of Representatives ### 2024 election Harrigan won the Republican primary for North Carolina's 10th congressional district on March 5, 2024, securing the nomination for the open seat vacated by retiring incumbent [Patrick McHenry](/people/patrick-mchenry). The district's strong Republican tilt positioned the primary winner as the frontrunner in the general election. In the November 5, 2024, general election, Harrigan defeated Democrat Ralph Scott Jr., Libertarian Steven Feldman, and [Constitution Party](/organizations/constitution-party) candidate Todd Helm, with the [Associated Press](/organizations/associated-press) calling the race for him shortly after polls closed. His military service as a Green Beret and engineering expertise resonated with voters in the conservative-leaning district. The National Federation of Independent Business endorsed Harrigan, highlighting his support for small business priorities. Harrigan was sworn in as representative effective January 3, 2025. ### Legislative activities In the 119th Congress, Harrigan serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where he is a member of the subcommittees on Readiness, Special Operations and Intelligence, and Military Personnel. He also sits on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, with assignments to the subcommittees on Energy and Oversight. These roles position him to influence policy on national defense, military readiness, energy innovation, and scientific oversight. Harrigan participates in numerous bipartisan caucuses reflecting his priorities in defense, security, and economic issues, including co-chairing the Berry Amendment Caucus, which advocates for domestic sourcing of military textiles and products. Other involvements encompass the Special Operations Forces Caucus, Fentanyl Prevention Caucus, and National Guard Caucus, among others focused on border security, rare diseases, and advanced manufacturing. Among bills he has introduced, Harrigan sponsored H.R. 6911, the COPS Anti-Organized Crime and Cartel Enforcement Act of 2025, which aims to redirect Community Oriented Policing Services grants toward combating cartels and transnational crime. Additional legislation includes H.R. 6263, the No Free Pass for Felons Act of 2025, targeting restrictions on benefits for certain offenders, and H.R. 6487, the SECURE STEM Act, promoting secure supply chains in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. His sponsorships emphasize law enforcement, national security, and transportation reforms, though most introduced measures have seen limited floor activity to date. Harrigan maintains a low missed vote rate of 1.6% in his initial term, aligning with congressional medians. ## Dated facts _No published facts on this page yet._ ## Methodology https://factrail.ai/methodology Canonical: https://factrail.ai/people/pat-harrigan