The National Rifle Association has endorsed U.S. Rep. Walter Jones.

The gun-rights group's Political Victory Fund endorsed the Farmville Republican for re-election to his Congressional seat and gave him an "A" rating.

"During his tenure in the House, Congressman Jones has consistently supported the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen, and demonstrated a strong commitment to the Second Amendment and our country’s rich hunting heritage," said spokesman Chris W. Cox in a statement.

The group noted that Jones' opponent, former Onslow County commissioner Joe McLaughlin, did not complete the NRA's federal candidate questionnaire.

Update: The McLaughlin campaign says it never received a questionnaire. It has contacted the NRA asking for a clarification.

Former Onslow County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin's latest ad notes that U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, his opponent in the Republican primary, has received money from anti-war activists.

Former Onslow County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin's latest ad argues that U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, his opponent in the Republican primary, has changed.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich helped $70,000 Thursday night for U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, according to the Jones campaign.

More than 160 people attended the event at the Pitt County home of former state GOP Chairman Ferrell Blount and his wife Lynda.

The event is likely to help Jones, who represents the 3rd district, beyond just the cash. Jones faces a primary challenge from his political right, Joe McLaughlin. And Gingrich is well regarded in conservative circles.

Joe McLaughlin's campaign is dismissing a poll that shows that U.S. Rep. Walter Jones is comfortably ahead in the Republican primary in the 3rd Congressional District.

Jones, a Farmville Republican, yesterday released the results of a poll by his campaign that showed him comfortably ahead of McLaughlin, 54-16 percent, in the GOP primary.

Doug Raymond, McLaughlin's campaign director, said a district-wide survey taken Feb. 7 for the McLaughlin campaign found Jones with a 43-41 lead over McLaughlin, reports Rob Christensen.

The survey of 500 likely voters was conducted by Pulse Opinion Research and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. The campaign made the survey available.

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones was widely thought to be in the fight of his political life because of his opposition to the Iraq war.

But his battle may not be as tough as many believed.

Jones, a Farmville Republican, has a commanding lead over GOP primary challenger Joe McLaughlin, according to a widely distributed new poll for the Jones campaign, reports Rob Christensen.

The survey found Jones leading McLaughlin by 54-16 percent.

The 3rd Congressional District primary has received national attention because McLaughlin made an issue of Jones’ opposition to continued U.S. involvement in the war in Iraq. The district has a strong military presence, including Camp Lejeune.

Conducted by National Research Inc., the poll surveyed 310 likely voters in the district on March 4 and March 6. The margin of error for the poll is plus or minus 5.57 percentage points. The Jones campaign made available a copy of the poll questions.

The survey has been distributed to key Republicans across the district, as well as political committees in Washington.

The American Civil Liberties Union is politically radioactive in a Republican primary, which is why an ACLU ad has become an issue in the race involving 3rd district Congressman Walter Jones.

The ACLU is running a radio ad encouraging Jones to vote against a bill providing legal protections for telephone companies to help the government conduct warrantless wiretap program, Rob Christensen reports.

The ad asks voters to call Jones to oppose the Bush administration bill: "We need Congressman Jones to stand with Congress."

Jones says he is not interested in anything ACLU has to say. In fact, he notes he has a long history of opposing the ACLU on such issues as Boy Scouts and gay scoutmasters and the right of military chaplains to use the name of Jesus in prayers.

"Their ads are wrong and need to be stopped," Jones said. "While the ACLU is playing politics, the threat of terrorism is very real and must be addressed."

His primary opponent, Joe McLaughlin, claims the ACLU ad is designed to help Jones.

"Obviously all of Walter Jones work on behalf of the 'Blame America First' crowd is paying off as the ultra-left continues to pour money into our district to support their new found friend," McLaughlin said.

Congressional Quarterly is bullish on North Carolina's incumbents.

In a rundown of the state's Congressional and gubernatorial races, CQ Politics writer Marie Horrigan favors U.S. Reps. Heath Shuler, Brad Miller and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole to win.

Still, she calls McHenry a "Safe Republican" seat and Miller "Safe Democrat," but says Congressional Quarterly will continue to monitor both races. Dole's race is called "one to watch," although it is "Republican favored."

The rematch between U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes and Larry Kissell is "No Clear Favorite," the most competitive category.

The seats of U.S. Rep. Walter Jones' and Patrick McHenry are rated "Safe Republican," but both Congressmen also face GOP opponents.

The governor's race is rated "Leans Democratic."

The Team America PAC is endorsing U.S. Rep. Walter Jones.

The Farmville Republican is running against former Onslow County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin in the GOP primary.

In a release, the political action committee said it is supporting Jones because of his stances on immigration.

"Since he was elected in 1994, Rep. Jones has been a leader in the immigration battle, always standing with Tom Tancredo in his battle to secure the border and enforce the laws," said Bay Buchanan, chairman of Team America and sister of Pat Buchanan, in a statement.

Team America PAC was founded by former presidential candidate and U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo in 1999 to oppose amnesty and support border security. It is not related to the movie of the same name.

Ron Paul is raising money for U.S. Rep. Walter Jones.

The Republican presidential candidate sent out an e-mail to supporters today asking them to donate to Jones' re-election campaign.

He writes that "not every Republican" is happy about the Farmville Republican's stances, leading to a primary challenge from former Onslow County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin:

He faces a primary challenge, backed by those who do not want oversight of the administration. They do not appreciate the hard questions that he has asked about the war in Iraq, his stance on preserving individual liberties, and his commitment to upholding the sovereignty of the United States by rejecting bogus "free trade agreements."

Paul then directs supporters to an online donation site.

The final line of the e-mail notes that it was paid for by Jones' re-election committee. Jones has praised Paul's campaign, but he has not officially endorsed anyone.

After the jump, the text of the e-mail.

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