Two physicians are squaring off against each other as the race to replace the late Walter B. Jones in Congress continues with the Republican primary runoff election.

On July 9, Republicans will decide between Dr. Greg Murphy, a Greenville urologic surgeon and member of the N.C. House, and Dr. Joan Perry, a Kinston pediatrician and political newcomer. The winner will face former Greenville Mayor Allen Thomas, who won the Democratic primary outright on April 30, along with Libertarian candidate Tim Harris and Constitutional Party candidate Greg Holt.

Murphy and Perry were the top two vote-getters in a crowded primary field of 17 Republicans. Since no candidate reached the 30 percent threshold for an outright win, Perry — as the second place finisher — called for a runoff. 

Perry said in some ways, campaigning against only one other candidate is no different from campaigning as one of 17. The goal, she said, is still to make connections, learn about needs and develop relationships with the voters of the Third Congressional District. She said the runoff campaign has allowed her to build on the relationships developed during the initial campaign and create deeper connections in the district. 

For Murphy, he said the runoff campaign is an opportunity to emphasize his legislative experience and conservative track record to the voters. It will be a grueling schedule for him, since he must fit campaigning around his service in the General Assembly and his work as a physician. 

Both candidates have received key endorsements following the April 30 election. Perry has been endorsed by several of the other primary candidates, including Celeste Cairns and Dr. Kevin Baiko. Murphy received the endorsement of N.C. Congressman Mark Meadows, who had declined to endorse a candidate in the crowded field. 

Though election day is still more than a month away, the candidates don’t have time to rest as early voting for the runoff begins June 19. All registered Republican voters in the 3rd District are eligible to vote in the runoff, as well as unaffiliated voters who voted in the Republican primary on April 30. Unaffiliated voters who did not vote in either party’s primary on April 30 are also eligible to vote in the runoff. 

Early voting in Greene County is at 110 SE First St. in Snow Hill. It will be open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. beginning June 19 and ending July 5, with the exception of July 4. 

Early voting in Lenoir County is at the Lenoir County Board of Elections, 110-C Herritage St., in Kinston. It will be open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. beginning on June 19 and ending July 5, with the exception of July 4. 

Early voting in Jones County will be at the Jones County Board of Elections, 367 Hwy 58, in Trenton. It will be open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. beginning on June 19 and ending July 5, with the exception of July 4.

Editor’s note: The original report was updated with information about the Libertarian Party and Constitution Party candidates.