GOP holds on to seat in North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District

Republican state Rep. Greg Murphy defeated Democrat Allen Thomas Tuesday night in the special election for North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race not long after polls closed. With 44 percent of precincts reporting, Murphy had 59 percent of the vote, compared to Thomas with 40 percent. In July, Murphy won the Republican primary runoff, defeating pediatrician Joan Perry.

The special election was called following the death of Rep. Walter B. Jones (R), who died in February while serving his 13th term; he was first elected in 1994. Murphy is expected to join the extremely conservative House Freedom Caucus.

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