Twenty six candidates have filed with the State Board of Elections to run for the vacant 3rd Congressional District seat, held by Rep. Walter Jones (R-Farmville) for almost a quarter of a century until his death last month.
The Republican primary field is particularly crowded, with 17 candidates throwing their hats into the ring. Some of the more well-known candidates include state Reps. Greg Murphy (R-Greenville), Michael Speciale (R-New Bern) and Phil Shepard (R-Jacksonville). Phil Law, who came in second to Jones during last year's Republican primary for the congressional district seat, is also running again. The GOP primary field also includes several political newcomers and a few candidates who live outside the district.
Six Democrats are running in the 17-county district, which leans Republican. Some of those candidates include former Greenville Mayor Allen Thomas, New Bern Mayor Dana Outlaw and Marine Corps. Col. Richard Bew.
Three third-party candidates are also running, including two from the Libertariann Party and one from the Consititution Party.
For a complete list of candidates, click here.
Special primary Election Day is April 30. Special Election Day is July 9, unless a primary runoff delays it until Sept. 10.