Federal

U.S. Representative, 3rd Congressional District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 3
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.

Candidates Compare by issue

Daniel Cavender

Libertarian

Lexington

The gist

Supports ending permit requirements for concealed carry
Supports legalizing recreational marijuana

More about Daniel

View sources (1)

Supports ending permit requirements for concealed carry
Daniel Cavender for Congress (campaign Facebook page)
Candidate social media · Daniel Cavender for Congress · facebook.com
“All gun laws are infringements- including the one requiring us to have a permit, should we carry concealed.”
Supports legalizing recreational marijuana
Daniel Cavender for Congress (campaign Facebook page)
Candidate social media · Daniel Cavender for Congress · facebook.com
“my first priority will be to introduce legislation that will fully legalize recreational marijuana”

Raymond Smith

Democratic

Educator; former state representative · Goldsboro

The gist

Supports banning congressional stock trading and ending Citizens United
Pledges to expand rural health care access
Supports broadband and flood-resilience investment in eastern NC
Proposes more childcare for military families and VA improvements
Supports federal funding for schools, special education and civil rights
Pledges to focus on lowering the cost of necessities

More about Raymond

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Supports banning congressional stock trading and ending Citizens United
Platform — Dr. Raymond E. Smith for Congress
Campaign website · Raymond Smith for North Carolina · raymondsmithfornc.com
“It's time that we push major campaign finance reform, bring an end to Citizens United, and ban stock trading from members of Congress.”
Pledges to expand rural health care access
Platform — Dr. Raymond E. Smith for Congress
Campaign website · Raymond Smith for North Carolina · raymondsmithfornc.com
“Eastern North Carolina deserves a member of Congress who will expand healthcare access in rural areas while keeping care affordable.”
Supports broadband and flood-resilience investment in eastern NC
Platform — Dr. Raymond E. Smith for Congress
Campaign website · Raymond Smith for North Carolina · raymondsmithfornc.com
“such as broadband internet access, as well as major investments in floodwater resilience and prevention”
Proposes more childcare for military families and VA improvements
Platform — Dr. Raymond E. Smith for Congress
Campaign website · Raymond Smith for North Carolina · raymondsmithfornc.com
“By improving the VA, expanding childcare access for the families of service members, and addressing the base housing crisis”
Supports federal funding for schools, special education and civil rights
Platform — Dr. Raymond E. Smith for Congress
Campaign website · Raymond Smith for North Carolina · raymondsmithfornc.com
“the federal government still plays a critical role in general funding, special education, and protecting civil rights”
Pledges to focus on lowering the cost of necessities
Platform — Dr. Raymond E. Smith for Congress
Campaign website · Raymond Smith for North Carolina · raymondsmithfornc.com
“Raymond will focus on lowering the cost of necessities and raising the standard of living for all North Carolinians”

Greg Murphy

RepublicanIncumbent

U.S. Representative; urologist

The gist

Co-introduced a resolution condemning physician-assisted suicideIn office
Sponsored a House-passed bill letting parks extend long-term leasesIn office
Supports barring members of Congress from buying stocksIn office
Supports requiring photo ID to vote in federal electionsIn office
Co-introduced limits on AI-driven Medicare Advantage denialsIn office
Co-introduced an overhaul of Medicare physician paymentsIn office
Sponsored a bill making nonprofit hospitals disclose community benefitsIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Greg

View sources (6)

Co-introduced a resolution condemning physician-assisted suicide
Murphy Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Physician-Assisted Suicide
Public statement · Office of Rep. Greg Murphy · murphy.house.gov
“Assisted suicide is unethical, and vulnerable individuals must be protected, especially when there are alternative options available.”
Sponsored a House-passed bill letting parks extend long-term leases
Murphy Legislation to Grant Authority to NPS to Extend Leases Passes House of Representatives
Public statement · Office of Rep. Greg Murphy · murphy.house.gov
“I am proud my bill, the National Park System Long-Term Lease Investment Act, passed in the House of Representatives”
Supports barring members of Congress from buying stocks
Murphy Applauds Passage of Congressional Stock Trading Ban & Voter ID
Public statement · Office of Rep. Greg Murphy · murphy.house.gov
“Members and their families should not use the office for financial gain.”
Supports requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections
Murphy Applauds Passage of Congressional Stock Trading Ban & Voter ID
Public statement · Office of Rep. Greg Murphy · murphy.house.gov
“We require photo identification to open a bank account or purchase alcohol; it should be requisite to vote in federal elections”
Co-introduced limits on AI-driven Medicare Advantage denials
Murphy Co-Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent AI Increasing Prior Authorization Denials
Public statement · Office of Rep. Greg Murphy · murphy.house.gov
“We cannot allow greedy health insurers to utilize AI to deny healthcare to those in need.”
Co-introduced an overhaul of Medicare physician payments
Murphy Co-Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Access to Physicians in Eastern North Carolina
Public statement · Office of Rep. Greg Murphy · murphy.house.gov
“Our current Medicare physician payment system is unsustainable.”
Sponsored a bill making nonprofit hospitals disclose community benefits
Murphy Applauds Passage of His Non-Profit Hospital Transparency Bill in Ways and Means Committee
Public statement · Office of Rep. Greg Murphy · murphy.house.gov
“Patients and taxpayers deserve transparency regarding how these institutions are meeting those obligations”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.