Who's running in North Carolina's 3rd congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Greg Murphy currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Health policy from a practising surgeon's perspective, as a co-chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus.
Support for Israel; he is endorsed by AIPAC.
The Republican legislative agenda in Congress.
Military installations and veterans in a district built around Camp Lejeune and Seymour Johnson.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 3rd District since September 2019; re-elected in 2024 with 77.4%.
Urologic surgeon; medical degree from the University of North Carolina; former North Carolina state representative.
Unopposed for the Republican nomination in the March 3, 2026 primary.
Deleted a 2021 post replying to Rep. Ilhan Omar's condolences for a Capitol Police officer with a remark invoking the September 11 attacks, and deleted a 2020 post about then-Senator Kamala Harris.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed his re-election.
— President Donald Trump
AIPAC endorsed him, and he drew no Republican primary opponent in a district where the Republican primary is normally the contest that decides the seat.
— AIPAC
Arguments against
The state Democratic party called a post he wrote and then deleted — replying to Rep. Ilhan Omar's condolences for a Capitol Police officer by invoking planes flown into buildings — racist, dangerous and rooted in lies, and said it was not the first time he had deleted a post after criticism.
— North Carolina Democratic Party, April 2021; state legislators quoted by CBS 17
PolitiFact found he exaggerated the COVID-19 restrictions then in force in Washington.
— PolitiFact, February 2022
What we couldn’t verify
Both criticisms date from 2021 and 2022 rather than this cycle; they are included because they are the substantive published criticism of him that could be found, and their vintage should be read alongside them.
Murphy defended the 2020 post at the time and deleted both; his fuller explanation was not located.
No criticism of him by name from Raymond Smith Jr.'s campaign was located, and his 2026 fundraising was not established.
Rural health care and hospital access in eastern North Carolina.
Public education funding.
Economic development in a district that has lost manufacturing employment.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Former North Carolina state representative from Wayne County.
Beat Allison Jaslow in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary.
Endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, Red Wine & Blue and the Young Democrats of North Carolina.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Smith by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against Greg Murphy's campaign, and against Outer Banks Voice, WITN, WCTI and News & Observer coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either.
His detailed federal policy positions were not established from sources read; the standsFor list reflects the themes reported rather than a published platform.
His fundraising was not established from sources read; President Trump would have carried the redrawn district by about fourteen points.
Libertarian candidate for North Carolina's 3rd District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Cavender's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Cavender by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond the ballot listing.
His fundraising was not established from sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
North Carolina held its primary on March 3, 2026. Republican incumbent Greg Murphy was unopposed for renomination; Democrat Raymond Smith Jr. beat Allison Jaslow. Libertarian Daniel Cavender is also on the ballot. The district was redrawn on October 22, 2025 and now covers Duplin, Greene, Lenoir, Jones, Onslow, Pitt, Wayne and Wilson counties and most of Sampson; President Trump would have carried the new lines by about fourteen points. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and Outer Banks Voice reporting. Criticism of Smith and Cavender by name could not be found, so their entries carry no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A North Carolina ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at North Carolina State Board of Elections.