North Carolina GOP selects state legislator Jennifer Balkcom to replace Chuck Edwards on ballot
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The North Carolina Republican executive committee named state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom as the party's nominee for the 11th Congressional District after Rep. Chuck Edwards withdrew amid a House Ethics Committee censure recommendation.
The North Carolina Republican Party’s executive committee for the 11th Congressional District chose state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, a Henderson County legislator, to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards on the November ballot. Edwards withdrew his re-election bid after a House Ethics Committee report recommended censure for alleged sexual harassment, a claim he has denied.
Balkcom, who announced her intent to seek the nomination less than a day before the decision, will face Democrat Jamie Ager, the winner of the March primary, in a race scheduled for less than three months away. Absentee ballots are set to begin mailing on Sept. 4, giving her a limited window to campaign.
In a statement posted on X, Balkcom said the race “is too important to sit out” and that Western North Carolina “needs a strong voice right now” as the region recovers from Hurricane Helene.
State House Speaker Destin Hall endorsed Balkcom on social media, describing her as “the right person at the right time.” The GOP’s executive director, Zachary Almond, also congratulated her and expressed enthusiasm about working together during the campaign.
Edwards, who had previously been endorsed by President Donald Trump, said he would complete his current term but would not run for a third term. The Ethics Committee’s investigation found “substantial reason to believe” he violated House rules on sexual harassment and hostile workplaces, though Edwards and his attorneys have called the findings unfounded.
The 11th District, which Edwards won by more than 13 points in 2022, is considered competitive as Republicans aim to retain a narrow House majority. Democrat Ager, a farmer who out-raised Edwards in the race, was previously rated “Likely Republican” by the Cook Political Report, a rating later adjusted to “Lean Republican” after the Ethics Committee report.