Aug. 10, 2026
Jonathan Rich
BrevardBeagle.com
Hendersonville’s Jennifer Balkcom (NC State Rep., District 117) has been selected by the North Carolina GOP’s Executive Committee for the 11th Congressional District to replace Chuck Edwards as the Republican candidate on the November ballot.
The announcement was made Monday night after Balkcom announced her intention to run for Congress earlier in the day via social media with the below statement:
“I’m a Henderson County farm girl. I know what it means to work hard, fight for what you believe in, and protect something so the next generation can inherit it. Those roots are why I fight so hard for this place – because Western North Carolina isn’t just where I live. It’s home. Western North Carolina is worth fighting for, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Edwards cancelled his reelection bid last week after a House Ethics Committee report shared allegations of sexual harassment involving two young female staff members. He has denied any wrongdoing in the matter and said he will serve out the remainder of his Congressional term, but will not seek election to a third term in the House.
As the new Republican nominee in District 11, Balkcom will face Democrat Jamie Ager in what is expected to be a very competitive congressional race.
Absentee ballots for the Nov. 6 contest will be mailed out Sept. 4 and will have Balkcom listed as the Republican nominee for the 11th Congressional District contest.