Two doctors will go to a runoff in the Republican primary election to replace Rep. Walter Jones in the U.S. House.

With all precincts in North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District reporting unofficial results, urologist and state Rep. Greg Murphy topped the 17-candidate Republican field with 22.5 percent of the vote — short of the 30-percent threshold needed to avoid a run-off. Pediatrician Joan Perry, a first-time candidate, was second at 15.4 percent.

The winner of the primary runoff between Murphy and Perry on July 9 will join Democratic primary winner Allen Thomas, Libertarian winner Tim Harris and Constitution Party candidate Greg Holt in the general election Sept. 10.

he seat is considered a safe Republican one.

“They know I’m in it for the right reasons. They’re thirsty for someone to vote for, not necessarily just someone to vote against,” Murphy, who lives in Greenville, said in a phone interview Tuesday.