{"biography":"Daniel Thomas Cavender is the Libertarian Party nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina\u2019s 3rd Congressional District in the 2026 general election. The Libertarian primary for that race was cancelled, allowing Cavender to advance to the November 3, 2026 ballot alongside Republican incumbent Gregory Murphy and Democrat Raymond Smith\u202fJr.\u202f[1]\n\nCavender was born and raised in Lexington, North Carolina, and graduated from Central Davidson High School. He earned an associate\u2019s degree from Davidson\u2011Davie Community College in 2019 and a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science and government from the University of North\u202fCarolina at Greensboro in 2021. His education and local roots are highlighted in his campaign materials.\u202f[1][19]\n\nHis professional background includes work as a fire\u2011protection equipment technician and, as of 2024, part\u2011time service as a Fire Protection Specialist. Cavender also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 2015 until 2022, though a later profile notes he \u201ccurrently serves in the U.S. Marine Corps\u201d in a part\u2011time capacity, suggesting a possible continuation of service beyond 2022.\u202f[1][19]\n\nCavender first entered electoral politics in 2024, running as the Libertarian candidate for North Carolina State Senate District\u202f30. He received 2.7\u202f% of the vote (3,161 votes) in that race, which was won by Republican incumbent Steven\u202fJarvis.\u202f[1]\n\nIn addition to his candidacies, Cavender is active in local Libertarian organizations, including the Davidson County Libertarian Party and the Libertarian Party of North\u202fCarolina, and is a member of the American Legion.\u202f[1]\n\nWhile his campaign platform details are not posted on a dedicated website, his public statements emphasize limited\u2011government principles consistent with Libertarian ideology. No official campaign website or contact email/phone number is listed in the available sources.\u202f[19]\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Daniel Cavender - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Daniel_Cavender)\n- [18] [Daniel Cavender | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/daniel-cavender)\n- [19] [Daniel Cavender platform & website | North Carolina State Senator, District 30](https://www.branch.vote/races/2024-nc-general-election-nc-state-state-senator-nc-state-senate-30/candidates/daniel-cavender)","campaigns":[{"contest":"us_house_003","county":"duplin","county_count":9,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Us House Of Representatives District 03"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Daniel","fullname":"Daniel Thomas Cavender","lastname":"Cavender","middlename":"Thomas","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"us_house_003","contest_title":"Us House Of Representatives District 03","county":"duplin","county_count":9,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"us_house","office_title":"U.S. Representative","party":"LIB","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"us_house_003","contest_title":"Us House Of Representatives District 03","county":"duplin","county_count":9,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"us_house","office_title":"U.S. Representative","party":"LIB","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"LIB","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"us_house","office_title":"U.S. Representative","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Daniel Thomas Cavender is the Libertarian candidate for U.S. House NC\u20113 in 2026, a former state\u2011senate candidate and Marine Corps reservist from Lexington.","terms":[],"token":"47ff49fd17b4c437"}