Republicans in North Carolina have selected state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (R) as the new GOP nominee for the 11th Congressional District, replacing Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) who dropped out last week. Balkcom was chosen by the state GOP’s executive committee for the district just 85 days before Election Day, setting the stage for a competitive race in western North Carolina.

Balkcom has represented North Carolina’s 117th House district since January 2023 and has a background of more than two decades in banking and mortgage loan industries, according to her LinkedIn profile. She will face Democrat Jamie Ager, who won his party’s primary in March and had nearly $2.2 million on hand as of the end of June, per the Federal Election Commission.

Edwards, who has served the district since January 2023, announced last Wednesday that he was ending his bid for a third term. This decision came two days after the House Ethics Committee recommended formal censure of Edwards for violating the “spirit” of the chamber’s sexual harassment policies. A 25-page report detailed Edwards’ “highly unprofessional” conduct toward two female staff members, including writing poems for a staffer, leaving an event early because a staffer brought a date, and paying for massages and spa treatments for staff, actions that contributed to a “hostile work environment.”

Former President Trump won the district by 9.5 points in 2024, and Edwards had won the seat by more than 9 points in 2022 and by over 13 points in 2024, according to The Downballot.

U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R) endorsed Balkcom on social media, stating, “I’m endorsing Jennifer because she’ll bring the values & strength of WNC to D.C., work to grow our economy, & always stand up for NC-11.”