Farrow, a Democrat who is new to politics, could have a tough time defeating Murphy, a Greenville urologist, in a district that leaned toward President Trump in 2016.
By Greg Barnes
Daryl Farrow, Democrat from Trenton
Age: 59
Political experience: None
Education/Personal: Farrow, the seventh of nine children, attended Jones County public schools. After graduating, he attended community college in Lenoir and Craven counties before going to Kansas State University. He is a Navy veteran and a businessman. He and his wife have two children.
Campaign contributions: No data available on OpenSecrets, the NC Board of Elections website or on VoteSmart.
Dr. Greg Murphy, Republican incumbent from Greenville
Age: 57
Political experience: Murphy served in the N.C. House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. In 2019, he won a special election and the general election following the death of Congressman Walter B. Jones Jr., who had served the district for more than 22 years.
Education/Personal: Murphy graduated magna cum laude from Davidson College in 1985. He went on to graduate with honors from the UNC School of Medicine. He and his wife, Wendy, live in Greenville and have three children.
Campaign contributions: As of June 30, Murphy had raised $1,372,593 for his campaign, spent $1,234,024 and had $138,569 on hand, according to OpenSecrets.
Affordable Care Act
Murphy told NC Health News in 2017 that he likes some aspects of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. He said he likes the ability of children to stay on their parents’ insurance plans until age 26 and that pre-existing conditions are covered.
But Murphy voted this June against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, which would expand the act and institute price controls on prescription drugs. On his website, Murphy said price controls “would completely stifle new drug research and development.”
Neither Farrow nor Murphy responded to questions from NC Health News on their stance on issues related to health care. On his website, Farrow said “we must reduce the cost of prescription drugs. Ensure the availability and affordability of healthcare services.”
Reproductive health
Murphy has been quoted as saying “I am solidly pro-life and will do all within my power to protect the innocent unborn. As a Christian, I also will work to show compassion for those having to make this decision and provide as many alternatives as possible, including reducing barriers to adoption.”
Farrow says on his website that, “Most importantly, we must, above all things, ensure that all women have the rights to reproductive care.”
Medicaid expansion
North Carolina is one of only 12 states that didn’t opt for Medicaid expansion, which would provide coverage for an estimated 500,000 people who don’t now qualify for Medicaid or Obamacare.
Last year, Murphy and other Republicans introduced legislation that they called an alternative to Medicaid expansion. It would have cost $4.7 billion, with 90 percent of the cost being borne by the federal government and provided coverage to an additional 543,000 North Carolinians.
Farrow did not address the issue on his website or elsewhere.
Masks or no masks
Murphy, a practicing physician, advocates for wearing a mask during the pandemic. But he has said the issue shouldn’t be politicized. In a video on Facebook, Murphy said a person should not try to embarrass or shame another person into wearing or not wearing a mask. He called it “counterproductive” and said that “doesn’t help the nation’s healing.”
Farrow did not address the issue on his website or elsewhere
The opioid crisis
Murphy has worked to lessen the opioid crisis in North Carolina and the country.
“From the day he was sworn in, Rep. Murphy has been a leader in the fight against the opioid crisis,” North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said in 2019.
As a North Carolina lawmaker, Murphy introduced the STOP Act and the HOPE act, two legislative actions to combat the state’s opioid crisis. As a congressman, he introduced the Veterans Heroin Overdose Prevention Examination (HOPE) Act.
Farrow did not address the issue on his website or elsewhere.