Raymond
Smith
Democratic nominee Dr. Raymond E. Smith Jr. challenges Rep. Greg Murphy in North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 16
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 22
Background
Dr. Raymond E. Smith Jr. is the 2026 Democratic nominee for North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District, challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Greg Murphy. 1415 He was born and raised in Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he still resides, and holds a doctorate in education leadership from Fayetteville State University, a master's in public administration from North Carolina Central University, and a bachelor's degree in supply chain management from North Carolina A&T State University. 7
Smith previously served two terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives (District 21, 2019–2023) and before that served on the Wayne County Board of Education as an at-large member and vice chair (2017–2019). 9 His earlier career included work as an educator and football coach, service in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, a role overseeing Wayne County's transition of paratransit services, and work as a statewide transportation planner for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. 7
At the time of his congressional run, Smith's occupation was described by the News & Observer as "educational support consultant and nonprofit director." 9 He won the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026, and was congratulated by the Democratic National Committee. 1415
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 3, North Carolina
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Educational support consultant and nonprofit director
- Website
- raymondsmithfornc.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 10filingSmith confirmed on NC-3 ballot alongside Murphy and Libertarian Cavender
The Daily Reflector listed Murphy, Smith, and Libertarian Daniel Cavender as the three candidates in NC-3's November 3 general election. A report the same day noted Smith had not run television advertisements, instead attending community events, forums, and giving interviews.
Who's runnning: Candidates in the Nov. 3 election · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 10newsSmith and Murphy policy positions compared by The Daily Reflector
The Daily Reflector reported Smith's stated positions: opposing the war against Iran and supporting a war-powers resolution to end unauthorized hostilities, restoring enhanced ACA premium tax credits, expanding Medicare drug-price negotiation, and opposing new data center construction pending health, environmental, and utility-cost review.
Murphy, Smith echo party lines: Candidates differ on healthcare, war, Trump actions · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 10newsDaily Reflector Q&A details Smith's priorities: affordability, healthcare, veterans
The Daily Reflector published a Q&A with Smith in which he said he would prioritize affordability, healthcare, and veterans if elected to Congress.
Q&A: Raymond Smith would prioritize affordability, healthcare, veterans in Congress · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsSmith discusses NC-3 campaign in WCTI News 12 interview
Smith outlined his campaign priorities in a News 12 interview, citing cost of living, agriculture, health care, AI oversight, and press freedom. He called for fully funding the ACA, expanding rural health access, and a moratorium on data centers pending study of their effects.
Raymond Smith discusses campaign for North Carolina's 3rd District · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30debateSmith attends Duplin Democratic Party candidate forum
Smith participated in a Duplin Democratic Party candidate forum alongside other local candidates including state House candidate Vernon Moore. The event was not described as a debate with Republican incumbent Greg Murphy.
Duplin Democratic Party hosts candidate forum ahead of elections · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29endorsementNew Democrat Coalition Action Fund endorses Smith in NC-3 red-to-blue push
The New Democrat Coalition Action Fund announced an endorsement of Smith as part of a group of candidates backed in Republican-held seats. Smith was quoted saying he would work to expand rural healthcare, fund public education, and flip the seat.
New Dems Endorse Seven More Candidates in Key Red-to ... · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24endorsementNorth Carolina AFL-CIO endorses Raymond Smith for U.S. House District 3
The NC AFL-CIO published its endorsed-candidate slate for the November 3 general election, including Raymond Smith for U.S. House District 3.
NC Union Endorsed Candidates for November 3rd General ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 27pollTulchin Research poll shows Murphy leading Smith 44%–41% in NC-3
A Tulchin Research poll conducted July 27–August 2 for the Democratic-aligned House Majority PAC found incumbent Greg Murphy at 44% and challenger Raymond Smith at 41%, a three-point Murphy lead. Sample size and methodology were not reported.
Tulchin Research Polls · Call the Map · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Brian Turner officialState legislator; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Abe Jones officialState legislator; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Joyce Artis officialAlderwoman for the Town of Fremont; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Red Wine & Blue organizationListed on campaign endorsement page; no date given. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Zack Hawkins officialState legislator; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Gale Adcock officialState legislator; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Young Democrats of North Carolina organizationListed on campaign endorsement page; no date given. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Carolyn Logan officialState legislator; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Paul Lowe officialState legislator; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Marcia Morey officialState legislator; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Kandie Smith officialState legislator; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Advance Carolina organizationListed on campaign endorsement page; no date given. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Pricey Harrison officialState legislator; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Yvonne Holley officialFormer state representative; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Terry Garrison officialState legislator; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Shelia Reid officialAlderwoman for the Town of Fremont; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Allison Dahle officialState legislator; listed on campaign endorsement page without individual endorsement date. raymondsmithfornc.com
- Save Democracy PAC organizationListed on campaign endorsement page and on Save Democracy PAC's 2026 endorsements page (dated October 6, 2026). savedemocracypac.com · Oct 6, 2026
- New Democrat Coalition Action Fund organizationAnnounced endorsement on September 29, 2026 as part of a slate of candidates in key red-to-blue seats. newdemactionfund.com · Sep 29, 2026
- North Carolina State AFL-CIO unionListed Smith for U.S. House District 3 on its endorsed candidates slate dated September 24, 2026. Based on research, interviews, and a vote by union members. Smith is not marked as a union member. aflcionc.org · Sep 24, 2026
- VoteVets organizationVoteVets announced endorsement on July 24, 2026 as part of a slate of Democratic House candidates. votevets.org · Jul 24, 2026
- Congressional Black Caucus PAC organizationReported by The Assembly on February 4, 2026; also listed on campaign endorsement page. theassemblync.com · Feb 4, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $223K
- Spent
- $137K
- Cash on hand
- $74K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6NC03229(opens in a new tab)
Sources 16
- [1] Murphy, Smith echo party lines: Candidates differ on healthcare, war, Trump actions(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Murphy, Smith echo party platforms(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [3] Q&A: Raymond Smith would prioritize affordability, healthcare, veterans in Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [4] Who's runnning: Candidates in the Nov. 3 election(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [5] General 6 - Save Democracy 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [6] Tulchin Research Polls · Call the Map(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [7] Raymond Smith discusses campaign for North Carolina's ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [8] Raymond Smith discusses campaign for North Carolina's 3rd District(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [9] Raymond Smith discusses campaign for North Carolina's 3rd District(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [10] Duplin Democratic Party hosts candidate forum ahead of elections(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [11] New Dems Endorse Seven More Candidates in Key Red-to ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [12] NC Union Endorsed Candidates for November 3rd General ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [13] VoteVets Endorses Slate of Democratic House Candidates Ahead of Midterms - VoteVets(opens in a new tab) Jul 24, 2026
- [14] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Feb 19, 2026
- [15] Dr. Raymond Smith's platform for NC-03(opens in a new tab) Feb 18, 2026
- [16] Raymond Smith Gets Congressional Black Caucus Endorsement in ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 4, 2026