North Carolina Republicans have chosen state lawmaker Jennifer Balkcom to replace incumbent Congressman Chuck Edwards as their candidate for the 11th congressional district in western North Carolina. Edwards dropped his re-election bid earlier in August 2026 after a US House investigation found his conduct toward young female staffers likely amounted to sexual harassment.

Balkcom will face Democrat Jamie Ager in the November midterm elections. Ager, a native of Western North Carolina, expressed commitment to representing the region, stating, “Western North Carolina is where I was born, raised, and chose to raise my own family. Rest assured, I will work every single day between now and Election Day to earn the votes of our friends and neighbors.”

Though former President Donald Trump won the district by 10 percentage points two years ago, Democrats see potential for Ager to win amid Trump's low approval ratings and local frustration over the slow recovery from Hurricane Helene, which devastated the area in 2024.

Edwards was first elected in 2022 after defeating controversial congressman Madison Cawthorn in the Republican primary. Even before Edwards’ withdrawal, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had targeted this district as key to regaining a House majority.

Zach Almond, the state party’s executive director, noted that Balkcom secured the nomination by beating five other candidates on the first round of balloting.

Sources