Republican Greg Murphy, a physician from Greenville who served in the North Carolina House of Delegates, won the special election to represent North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes Knotts Island.
Murphy defeated Democrat Allen Thomas, the former mayor of Greenville, in the special election on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Murphy was sworn into office on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and he will serve out the unexpired term of the late Walter Jones Jr., a Republican who served a dozen terms in the seat until his death in February.
“When I campaigned this last election, I made a promise that I’d come to Washington, D.C., and fight relentlessly for conservative values like lower taxes, more accountable government and small business-friendly policies,” Murphy said in a statement released the day he was sworn in to Congress.
“Moreover, it is not lost on me that I’m replacing a conservative the caliber of the late Rep. Walter Jones,” Murphy added. “When all is said and done, I hope the legacy I leave behind can be similar to his: one of grace, humility and willingness to put his constituents first.”
Murphy won 61.7 percent of the vote, and Thomas gained 37.5 percent, according to returns reported by the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Two other candidates in the special election, Greg Holt, the Constitution Party candidate, and Tim Harris, a Libertarian, each received less than a half-percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns released by state elections officials.
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