U.S. House · North Carolina's 3rd District

Eastern North Carolina, including Greenville and the Outer Banks.

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

✓ Fact-checked 2026-09-25: 20 claims re-checked against their sources

A second, independent research pass re-opened every cited source for this race and corrected or removed anything the source didn’t support.

On the ballot · 3 candidates

Where they stand — side by side

Only positions documented in a cited source are shown. Where an officeholder’s recorded votes speak to an issue, the votes set the position (marked “votes”). A dash means we found no clear public position — not that the candidate has none.

ISSUEGregory Murphy
R
Raymond Smith Jr.
D
Daniel Cavender
LIB
Protect legal access to abortionOpposes[19][20]votes——
Stricter gun lawsOpposes[17][18]votes—Opposes[6]
Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsSupports[9][10][11][12][13][14]votes——
Raise taxes on high earners or corporationsOpposes[10][11][12][16]votes——
Expand public health coverageOpposes[10][11][12]votesSupports[5]—
Faster transition away from fossil fuelsOpposes[10][11][12][15][16]votes——
Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)Supports[7]——
Universal, publicly funded child careOpposes[15]votes——

The candidates, in full

Gregory Murphy

RINCUMBENTU.S. Representative (since 2019)

Gregory Murphy is the Republican incumbent seeking re-election in North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District. He is a urologic surgeon serving on the House Ways and Means, House Administration, and Veterans' Affairs committees.[2]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Key votes in Congress

  • NoWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · H. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · 2026-06-03 roll call ↗The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans.
  • Didn't voteResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · H.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · 2026-02-11 roll call ↗The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy.
  • YesConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government funding · H.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · 2026-02-03 roll call ↗The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
  • Didn't voteBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · H.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · 2026-01-08 roll call ↗The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans.
  • Didn't voteWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela · H. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region.
  • YesNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · 2025-12-10 roll call ↗The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year.
  • YesEpstein Files Transparency Act · H.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · 2025-11-18 roll call ↗The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support.
  • YesContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · 2025-11-12 roll call ↗The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively.
  • YesCLARITY Act — digital asset market structure · H.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries.
  • YesGENIUS Act — stablecoin regulation · S. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · 2025-07-03 roll call ↗H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025.
  • YesRescissions Act of 2025 · H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · 2025-06-12 roll call ↗The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · 2025-05-22 roll call ↗H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients.
  • YesSAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · H.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · 2025-04-10 roll call ↗The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls.
  • YesFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 · H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · 2025-03-11 roll call ↗The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
  • YesLaken Riley Act — final passage · S. 5 · Passed 263–156 · 2025-01-22 roll call ↗The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.
  • YesSecure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · H.R. 2 · Passed 219–213 · 2023-05-11 roll call ↗Would have resumed border-wall construction, restricted asylum eligibility, expanded detention, and mandated E-Verify for employers.
  • NoInflation Reduction Act — final House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–207 · 2022-08-12 roll call ↗Enacted clean-energy and climate tax credits, a 15% minimum tax on large corporations' book income, a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks, and Medicare drug-price negotiation.
  • NoAssault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 1808 · Passed 217–213 · 2022-07-29 roll call ↗Would have banned the sale, manufacture and import of many semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.
  • NoWomen's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 8296 · Passed 219–210 · 2022-07-15 roll call ↗Passed after Dobbs; would have created a federal statutory right to abortion services and limited state restrictions.
  • NoBipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · S. 2938 · Passed 234–193 · 2022-06-24 roll call ↗Expanded background checks for buyers under 21, funded state red-flag and crisis-intervention programs, and narrowed the "boyfriend loophole."
  • NoBuild Back Better Act — House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–213 · 2021-11-19 roll call ↗Would have funded clean-energy tax credits, universal pre-kindergarten and child-care subsidies, and extended health-coverage subsidies; it did not pass the Senate.
  • NoWomen's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 3755 · Passed 218–211 · 2021-09-24 roll call ↗Would have created a federal statutory right for providers to offer, and patients to receive, abortion services, limiting state restrictions.
  • NoAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 6 · Passed 228–197 · 2021-03-18 roll call ↗Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.

On the record — official actions

  • action2025 · Serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on House Administration (Elections Subcommittee), and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.[3]

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsPublic funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)

    Says he is in favor of expanding school choice, including private, charter, online, and homeschooling options, alongside public schools.[7]

    “I am ardently in favor of expanding school choice to give parents the freedom to choose the best educational path for their children.”
  • OpposesFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits. Voted no on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19; 2022-08-12), which would have funded clean-energy tax credits.[10][11][12][15][16]

    What they say: Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy approach using traditional and clean sources together and opposes what he calls the "Green New Deal movement," rather than a faster shift away from fossil fuels.[8]

    “We do not have to choose between a clean environment and unleashing energy dominance; we must choose between a commonsense approach to energy policy or enabling the lucrative fearmongering of the Green New Deal movement.”
  • SupportsExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations. Voted yes on Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11). Voted no on American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. 6, 2021-03-18).[9][10][11][12][13][14]

  • OpposesExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements.[10][11][12]

  • OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent. Voted no on Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376, 2022-08-12), which added a 15% minimum tax on large corporations and a stock-buyback excise tax.[10][11][12][16]

  • OpposesUniversal, publicly funded child careFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19), which would have funded universal pre-K and child-care subsidies.[15]

  • OpposesStricter gun lawsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808, 2022-07-29). Voted no on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938, 2022-06-24).[17][18]

  • OpposesProtect legal access to abortionFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755, 2021-09-24). Voted no on Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 (H.R. 8296, 2022-07-15).[19][20]

In their words — priorities

  • Expanding school choice so parents can choose the best educational path for their children, whether traditional public, private, charter, online school, or homeschooling.[7]
  • An "all-of-the-above" energy policy using traditional and clean energy sources to improve baseload capacity and lower costs.[8]

Background

  • Born in Raleigh, North Carolina; earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina and worked as a urologic surgeon before entering politics.[2]

Campaign money

Raised $2.4M · spent $1.2M · $2.7M cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Raymond Smith Jr.

DFormer North Carolina State Representative, District 21 (2019-2023)

Won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with 56.7% of the vote.

Raymond Smith Jr. is the Democratic nominee challenging incumbent Gregory Murphy in North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District. He is a former two-term state representative, Gulf War Army veteran, and consultant campaigning on healthcare access, education funding, and infrastructure.[4]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

On the record — official actions

  • action2019-2023 · Served two terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives representing District 21 (Wayne and Sampson counties), from January 2019 to January 2023, sitting on the Education-Community Colleges, Local Government, and Federal Relations committees.[4]

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsExpand public health coverage

    Lists quality, affordable healthcare among his top campaign priorities.[5]

In their words — priorities

  • Investing in public schools, reducing class sizes, and supporting teachers with resources; providing equitable education for all students.[5]
  • Economic development and job creation, including modernizing water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.[5]
  • Quality, affordable healthcare and lower costs for working families.[5]

Background

  • Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina; served in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War.[4]
  • Earned a bachelor's degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (1992), a master's degree from North Carolina Central University (1998), and a Ph.D. from Fayetteville State University (2020).[4]
  • Was elected the first African American at-large member of the Wayne County Board of Education, serving as vice chairman, before serving two terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives (District 21, 2019-2023), where he sat on the Education-Community Colleges and Local Government committees.[4]
  • Career experience includes working as a consultant, transportation professional, and teacher.[4]

Campaign money

Raised $223K · spent $137K · $74K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Daniel Cavender

LIB

Advanced from a canceled Libertarian Party primary.

Daniel Cavender is the Libertarian Party nominee in North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District. He is a Marine Corps veteran and fire protection equipment technician who describes himself as a pro-freedom candidate.[6]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Positions on the issues

  • OpposesStricter gun laws

    Says he believes all gun laws are infringements on the Second Amendment and supports constitutional carry.[6]

In their words — priorities

  • Legalizing recreational marijuana.[6]
  • Constitutional carry, opposing gun-law restrictions he views as infringements on the Second Amendment.[6]

Background

  • Born in Lexington, North Carolina; served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 2015 to 2022.[6]
  • Earned an associate degree from Davidson-Davie Community College (2019) and a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro (2021); works as a fire protection equipment technician.[6]

Research notes & limits

Federal key votes and FEC totals for Murphy, the sitting incumbent, are added by a separate script.

Sources · 20

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  2. 2.Gregory Murphy · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  3. 3.Committees and Caucuses · Office of Rep. Gregory Murphy · 2026-09-25 Official record
  4. 4.Raymond Smith Jr. · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  5. 5.Campaign website (quoted via Ballotpedia) · Raymond Smith for NC · 2026-02-13 Candidate's own words
  6. 6.Daniel Cavender - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2024 Candidate's own words
  7. 7.Education | Congressman Greg Murphy · Office of Rep. Gregory Murphy · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
  8. 8.Energy | Congressman Greg Murphy · Office of Rep. Gregory Murphy · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
  9. 9.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  10. 10.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  11. 11.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
  12. 12.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  13. 13.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
  14. 14.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-03-18 Official record
  15. 15.Roll call: Build Back Better Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-11-19 Official record
  16. 16.Roll call: Inflation Reduction Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-08-12 Official record
  17. 17.Roll call: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-29 Official record
  18. 18.Roll call: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-06-24 Official record
  19. 19.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-09-24 Official record
  20. 20.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-15 Official record