Murphy wins Republican nomination in Congressional primary

Published 9:13 pm Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Note: All election totals remain unofficial until canvassing is complete on Friday, July 19.

Dr. Greg Murphy will represent the Republican Party in September during the general election to determine who will become the next representative of North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District.

District-wide, Murphy won over fellow Republican Dr. Joan Perry to secure the party’s nomination, earning 21,444 votes (59.71%) to Perry’s 14,472 (40.29%).

Murphy won in 12 counties overall, while Perry carried Currituck, Pasquotank, Greene, Jones and Lenoir counties.

In Beaufort County, Murphy likewise secured the majority of votes, taking 1,960 votes and 64.64% of the local ballots cast. Perry, meanwhile, earned 1,072 votes, 35.36% of the local total. Murphy carried all but three Beaufort County precincts, with Perry taking Washington Ward 3, Hunter’s Bridge and Belhaven.

Voter turnout, as is typical during second primaries, was low throughout the district at 11.51%. In Beaufort County, however, the turnout was slightly higher at 15.81%.

During the first Congressional primary in April, Murphy and Perry rose to the top of the Republican ticket from a field of 17 candidates. While Murphy secured 9,530 votes (22.51%) and Perry earned 6,536 votes (15.44%). Neither was able to secure the 30% threshold needed to avoid a second primary. The remaining 26,264 votes (62.05%) cast on Republican tickets were split among the 15 other candidates.

Murphy will now go on to face off against Democrat Allen Thomas, Libertarian Tim Harris and Constitution Party candidate Greg Holt during the Sept. 10 general election.