A former Eastern Carolina mayor is running for Congress.

Allen Thomas made the announcement in Greenville this morning.

Thomas, a Democrat, resigned as Greenville mayor in June 2017 after three terms to take a state job as director of the Global TransPark in Kinston.

The new candidate said he will be stepping down from his GTP job in the next few weeks.

With Thomas in the race, it sets up a Democratic primary battle between a current Eastern Carolina mayor, a former mayor, and others. On Monday, New Bern Mayor Dana Outlaw filed in Raleigh for the seat.

So far, 12 Republicans, four Democrats, a Constitutional Party candidate and a Libertarian have filed for the seat left vacant with the death of Congressman Walter Jones.

Primary elections are scheduled for April 30, with runoffs set for July 9 if a leading primary candidate doesn't get more than 30 percent of the vote. The general election would be Sept. 10 if runoffs are required.

Filing for the 3rd District special election ends tomorrow.

Candidate filed

REPUBLICANS

Phil Law

Michele Nix

Rep. Michael Speciale

Rep. Greg Murphy

Gary Ceres

Chimer Clark, Jr.

Graham Boyd

Celeste Cairns

Rep. Phil Shepard

Paul Beaumont

Jeff Moore

Joan Perry

DEMOCRATS

Ike Johnson

Mayor Dana Outlaw

Richard Bew

Ernest Reeves

CONSTITUTIONAL

Greg Holt

LIBERTARIAN

Shannon Bray

Previous Story

The slate of candidates seeking to succeed the late North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones Jr. is getting mighty crowded.

The State Board of Elections reports that 17 people have signed up as of late Wednesday to run in the 3rd Congressional District special elections - 11 Republicans, four Democrats and one each from the Libertarian and Constitution parties. Filing began Monday and ends Friday afternoon.

The GOP candidates include three current state legislators, a former state Republican Party leader and a recent 3rd District challenger to Jones, who died last month.

Primary elections are scheduled for April 30, with runoffs set for July 9 if a leading primary candidate doesn't get more than 30 percent of the vote. The general election would be Sept. 10 if runoffs are required.

Meantime, former Greenville Mayor Allen Thomas, current executive director of the NC Global Transpark in Kinston, has a press conference scheduled for Thursday in Greenville. Thomas' press release doesn't say whether he will or will not be entering the race, but says he will be discussing the future of NC Congressional District 3.

For a look at all of the candidates who have filed so far just click on the related link.