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Published: Sunday, April 20, 2014 at 4:45 p.m. Last Modified: Sunday, April 20, 2014 at 4:45 p.m.

In the Republican race to represent the 3rd Congressional District, it's become a question about who is more conservative, with 10-year incumbent Walter Jones and challenger Taylor Griffin both claiming they fit that bill.

"He (Jones) has voted more with Barack Obama than any other House Republican. For conservative Republican voters that's something that's concerning," said Griffin of New Bern, who has held a number of political jobs, including for former N.C. Sen. Jesse Helms and in the administration of former President George W. Bush. "What our message is, is we need a principled across-the-board conservative who is effective for accomplishing things for eastern North Carolina and that's what I offer."

But Jones said he was rated the most conservative congressman in the North Carolina congressional delegation in January by FreedomWorks, a conservative grassroots organization.

Jones said he also regularly receives endorsements from the National Rifle Association and conservative pro-life organizations. He said his opponent is using one article from National Journal to stake his claim that Jones is not conservative, and Jones said he received a low score by that publication because he doesn't believe in "policing the world."

Jones and Griffin face off in the May 6 GOP primary in a race that also includes retired Marine Albin "Big Al" Novenic, with the winner facing Democrat Marshall Adame in November.

Novinec says that although he has only raised $100 in campaign contributions from his mother-in-law that he's in this race for a fight to the finish.

"It's time to take back America," Novinec said. "We need representatives in Washington, D.C., who do what's right for us and not big business, lobbyists and even their parties."

Jones has raised $375,785 this campaign cycle; spent $316,220 and had $157,698 cash on hand at the end of the March 31 federal reporting period. Griffin has raised $224,250; spent $134,362 and finished the quarter March 31 with $97,392 cash on hand, according to his filing with the Federal Election Commission.

The 3rd District, expanded southward after the 2010 census to include portions of New Hanover and Pender counties, includes all or parts of 22 eastern North Carolina counties and stretches from Wilmington in the south all the way to the Virginia border.

Read more:
Republican candidates tout conservatism in District 3 race