U.S. Congress Dist. 3 candidate hopeful Dr. Joan Perry, right, listens to, from left, Betty Hrab and Dana Cox after a press conference Thursday with Joe Anne Jones, wife of the late Congressman Walter Jones, second from right. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

GREENVILLE — It wasn’t officially an endorsement, but it was support.

Joe Anne Jones, wife of late Congressman Walter B. Jones, joined Dr. Joan Perry in a press conference Thursday at the Town Commons in Greenville. In the press conference, Jones said her husband hadn’t endorsed anyone to replace him while also announcing support for Perry.

"Dr. Joan Perry shares the same Christian beliefs and staunch conservative values as my husband Walter, who never endorsed anyone for the 3rd Congressional District," she said. "I called Dr. Joan unprompted because she has what it takes to stand up for the people of Eastern North Carolina and our values. She will be a staunch advocate for our veterans, active duty military, and their spouses, and she shares Walter's deep concern about Washington's excessive spending problem.

“Additionally, nothing was more important to my husband than his faith in God, and I see the same strong faith in Dr. Joan Perry.”

Perry is competing against Dr. Greg Murphy in a special runoff for the Republican nomination. The special election between the two is July 9 and the winner will move on to the primary election Sept. 10 against Democrat Allen Thomas, Libertarian Tim Harris and Constitutionalist Greg Holt.

Perry said it was a fitting area to have the conference, especially considering Congressman Jones’ passion for advocating for the armed forces.

“Walter demonstrated the extraordinary commitment to our military that I would like to reflect if elected to Washington,” Perry said. “Now more than ever, we need a representative to stand for these men and women, their families and the military presence in our district.

 “Walter loved the people of Eastern North Carolina (and) being their advocate in Washington. Walter also deeply care about our spending problems in Washington and fought hard for fiscal conservatism. He loved Eastern North Carolina and above all, he was a man of great integrity. He loved the Lord, he loved his family and he loved this country.”

Perry said it meant a lot to have Jones’ support.

“It means everything,” Perry said. “She knows the needs of this district and what it takes to represent this district from watching her husband sacrifice, so I am honored to think she thinks I’d be able to do that in the same way, with the same integrity, spirit and convictions.”