Two Democrats seek to unseat Rep. Greg Murphy in Eastern North Carolina
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Two Democrats, Raymond Smith and Allison Jaslow, contest the March 3, 2026 primary.
- Incumbent Rep. Greg Murphy remains unopposed in the Republican primary.
- Smith emphasizes lowering costs, expanding health care and federal investment.
To help voters learn which candidates are on their ballot and where they stand on important policy issues, The News & Observer is publishing candidate questionnaires in all state and federal races in North Carolina on the March 3, 2026, ballot.
Two people, former state Rep. Raymond Smith and Allison Jaslow, are facing off against one another in the Democratic primary for North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District.
Rep. Greg Murphy, a Republican from Greenville, currently represents the district in Eastern North Carolina. He is unopposed in the Republican primary.
Below are the candidates running for U.S. House District 3 who responded to our questionnaire, in order by the date their responses were received. Some candidates did not provide a photo.
Raymond Smith
Age as of March 3, 2026: 63
Political party: Democrat
Campaign website: RaymondSmithForNC.com
Current occupation: Educational support consultant and nonprofit director
Professional experience: Former educator and football coach; combat veteran and military police officer; U.S. Army and Army Reserve; statewide transportation planner with the N.C. Department of Transportation; Wayne County Schools transportation department director; at-large member and vice chair of the Wayne County Board of Education; two-term state representative for Wayne and Sampson Counties, serving on education, finance, transportation, military and appropriations committees.
Education: Graduate of Goldsboro High School; bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from N.C. A&T; master of public administration from N.C. Central University; doctorate in education leadership from Fayetteville State University.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: Representative of North Carolina House District 21, 2019-2023; at-large member of the Wayne County school board, 2017–2019.
What would be your top priority if elected? My top priority in Congress will be lowering costs and creating opportunities for the people of Eastern North Carolina. That means fighting to reduce the price of groceries, gas, housing and prescription drugs, expanding access to affordable health care and bringing federal investments to our region for better schools, job training and infrastructure so working families can get ahead and small businesses can grow.
Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently. How do you see it and what, if anything, would you do that you believe would improve it? Our economy is working well for people at the top, but too many families who work hard every day are still falling behind. If working harder meant more money, the folks in Eastern North Carolina would be thriving. That’s why we must build an economy that rewards work, not just wealth. In Congress, I’ll fight to lower everyday costs, strengthen wages, protect workers’ rights, invest in small businesses and make sure big corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share, so everyone has a chance to get ahead.
In 2025, Congress caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should members of Congress do to prevent this in the future and how important is it for Congress to pass a budget? Passing a budget is essential to keeping our government working and honoring our commitments to veterans, seniors, military families and federal workers. Shutdowns hurt real people and weaken our economy. Members of Congress must stop playing political games and start governing by building consensus, focusing on shared priorities and doing the basic job taxpayers send us to Washington to do — keep the government open and delivering for the American people.
Lawmakers have been at odds on Capitol Hill over health care coverage for Americans. Where do you stand on Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies? I support the extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidies because they help families in Eastern North Carolina afford coverage and see a doctor without going broke. They’re a necessary short-term solution, but not the final answer to any of our health care problems. We need a better system that brings down costs, expands access and makes quality health care affordable for more people. I worked on this issue in the N.C. House and would look forward to making progress in Congress.
Should the president go before Congress before taking military action in foreign countries? As a combat veteran, I know the impact of military action first hand. The decision to use military force should never be taken lightly or be made by one person alone. Except in true emergencies, the president should come to Congress so the American people’s representatives can debate it openly. Our service members deserve clear direction, accountability and the country fully behind them when they’re put in harm’s way.
Do you support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement? Do you believe the immigration crackdown has had collateral effects for residents with legal status? I do not support tactics that violate the Constitution nor deny due process. We’ve seen recent cases where aggressive ICE actions harmed lawful residents and even American citizens. In most cases, being targeted for nothing other than the color of their skin. That’s beyond unacceptable. We can enforce laws and keep communities safe while still respecting civil rights, following the rule of law and holding officers accountable when they abuse their power.
Do you believe oversight of public education should be left up to individual states? As a former educator and member of the Wayne County Board of Education, I know local communities are best at making day-to-day decisions for their schools. But the federal government still has an important role to play by providing funding, supporting special education and protecting civil rights, especially for rural and low-wealth areas such as here in Eastern North Carolina.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue? I’m a Democrat, but I’m willing to challenge my own party when it comes to ethics and accountability. I believe we can do better and should always be working toward that. That’s why I support tougher campaign finance laws, rules to ban stock trading by members of Congress, stricter limits on lobbyist influence and real accountability for anyone who abuses public office. Voters deserve leaders who serve the public interest, not themselves or big donors.
Allison Jaslow
Age as of March 3, 2026: 43
Political party: Democrat
Campaign website: www.allisonjaslowforcongress.com
Current occupation: Candidate for Congress
Professional experience: I most recently was the CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s leading post-9/11 veterans advocacy organization. Prior to that, I served in the U.S. Army, was on the staff of several members of Congress, including being a Chief of Staff, and also served in the Obama White House. I’ve also spent time as a college professor and did a stint at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America in leadership before returning to the organization as its CEO.
Education: I went to college on an ROTC scholarship that sent me first to a military junior college and then allowed me to graduate with a bachelors degree from the University of Central Missouri.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: I am a U.S. Army veteran who deployed twice to Iraq, including during the surge. Following my military service, I’ve sought to still serve the public. I’ve helped to support the success of elected leaders at the federal level and also been an advocate on behalf of my fellow veterans in the media and before governmental entities across the United States.
What would be your top priority if elected? Economic fairness.
Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently. How do you see it and what, if anything, would you do that you believe would improve it? Our current economy is one in which those at the top are doing just fine, but many are living paycheck to paycheck. Everyone deserves an honest wage for an honest day’s work and good benefits like my stepdad was able to get thanks to the union that represented him at the grocery store he worked at. Too few, however, can say the same today. That needs to change. The cost of being a working parent in America today is also too high and needs to change.
In 2025, Congress caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should members of Congress do to prevent this in the future and how important is it for Congress to pass a budget? One of Congress’ most important jobs is appropriating funds for the federal government. Any government shutdown is a tragedy that impacts critical services and the livelihoods of those who work in the federal government. Partisan politics has gotten in the way of Congress fulfilling its duty to ensure the federal government is functioning as it’s supposed to and that’s done nothing but hurt everyday people for the sake of politicians scoring political points.
Lawmakers have been at odds on Capitol Hill over health care coverage for Americans. Where do you stand on Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies? Medicaid expansion wasn’t just good for many North Carolinians, it was good for our economy. It’s unconscionable that Rep. Greg Murphy has failed to address making health care more affordable for working families, and additionally voted to end the health care coverage of many of his constituents. This will not just impact individual lives, but the hospitals we rely on for our care.
Should the president go before Congress before taking military action in foreign countries? Yes. It’s the job of Congress to approve when, where and under what terms our nation goes to war with another country.
Do you support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement? Do you believe the immigration crackdown has had collateral effects for residents with legal status? The crisis at the border needs to be addressed, but federal law enforcement needs to act lawfully and we should hold those who fail to do so accountable.
Do you believe oversight of public education should be left up to individual states? I don’t know where I’d be today if it wasn’t for the fact that I was able to attend quality public schools. In a country as great as ours, your education shouldn’t be dependent on what state or city you’re born into. Every child in America deserves a quality education and our economy will benefit if they do.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue? I’m not sure that it’s clear what either of the two major political parties stand for these days, but I believe that the Democratic Party has failed to adequately show up for working people in recent years and that needs to change.
This story was originally published February 17, 2026 at 3:35 PM with the headline "Two Democrats seek to unseat Rep. Greg Murphy in Eastern North Carolina."
