RALEIGH, N.C. — Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy, who clung to a razor-thin lead on election night, is trailing after provisional ballots tipped the race in favor of Democrat Raymond Smith Jr.

But the results are not final, with more votes to be counted.

Murphy, a physician, has represented the 3rd District in Eastern North Carolina since 2019. Smith is a former state representative and Army veteran.

As of Monday, six days after the Nov. 3 election, Murphy led Smith by 233 votes, or 0.1%. After some provisional ballots were tallied as of around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Smith gained a narrow lead of 301 votes.

Provisional ballots are cast when a voter’s eligibility can’t be confirmed at the polls and are counted only after county election officials verify it.

Some counties have not posted provisional ballot totals.

Democrats will hold a majority of North Carolina’s congressional delegation for the first time since 2013, when the delegation was split 7-6 in their favor. Republicans took control after the 2012 elections under maps newly drawn by the GOP-led legislature.

The GOP has led multiple rounds of redistricting since, and this year’s maps were drawn with the aim of giving Republicans an 11-3 advantage.

Murphy’s race is one of several still in limbo. Reps. Virginia Foxx and David Rouzer were also battling for their seats against Democratic challengers as of Tuesday.

_____

©2026 Raleigh News & Observer. Visit newsobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.