Neuse News Editor Bryan Hanks and Publisher BJ Murphy during a Facebook live election night results show sponsored by King’s Restaurant, Matrix East, Decks & Moore and Senator Jim Perry.

Voters in Eastern North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District went to the polls Tuesday to choose a successor to the late Rep. Walter B. Jones, Jr., whose passing in February left his seat vacant.

Republican state representative Dr. Greg Murphy won a decisive victory in the Republican-leaning district over Democrat Allen Thomas, Constitution Party candidate Greg Holt and Libertarian Tim Harris, with Murphy taking 61.74 percent of the vote.

Murphy received 70,142 votes to 42,570 for Thomas, 502 for Holt and 393 for Harris.

In Lenoir County, Murphy received 55.5 percent of the vote to 43.65 percent for Thomas, 0.52 percent for Holt and 0.31 percent for Harris. 

In Jones County, Murphy received 57.57 percent of votes cast to 41.87 percent for Thomas, 0.45 percent for Holt and 0.11 percent for Harris.

In Greene County, Murphy won 59.21 percent of the vote, with Thomas receiving 40.16 percent of the vote and Holt and Harris receiving 0.46 percent and 0.18 percent respectively. 

Murphy released a statement Tuesday evening after national news outlets called the race in his favor that thanked his supporters for their efforts over the course of the campaign. 

“The campaigns are now over and the real work begins,” he said in the statement.” I look forward to being the servant of each one of you in eastern North Carolina–Democrat, Republican and Unaffiliated. It is time for all of us to come together. You have my pledge to serve with honesty, integrity and purpose.”

Lenoir County Commissioner J. Mac Daughety attended Murphy’s election night gathering in Greenville and said the atmosphere at the Greenville Hilton was one of optimism and excitement. 

Daughety also said it was heartening to hear from Murphy that he plans to continue practicing as a surgeon as a way to stay connected to the people of Eastern North Carolina that he will represent in Congress. 

Murphy was elected to serve the remainder of Jones’ term, which runs through January 2021. The seat will come up for election again in November of next year. 

Voters in the Neuse News coverage area will next head to the polls in November for municipal elections for various county and local municipality elections.