NC-11 Asheville
North Carolina
Not calledR -9.5closes 7:30 pm ET
Lean Dopen seat
Who's running
Jennifer BalkcomR
Jennifer Balkcom is a state representative and business owner from Henderson County. She calls herself a farm girl and says she used to be a Democrat. Party leaders picked her in August to replace Chuck Edwards on the ballot.
What they say they'll do
- State representative since 2023
- Picked as replacement nominee
- Backed by state House Speaker Destin Hall
Jamie AgerD
Jamie Ager is a farmer from western North Carolina. His grandfather, Jamie Clarke, once held this same seat in Congress. He raised far more money than Edwards did.
What they say they'll do
- Farmer
- Grandson of a former congressman
- On the DCCC Red to Blue list
The tea ☕
- The House Ethics Committee found that Congressman Chuck Edwards broke sexual harassment rules with two young female staffers. He denied wrongdoing but quit the race on August 5, 2026.
- The full House voted to censure Edwards on September 1, 2026. He apologized to his wife and former staffers before the vote and said he would finish his term.
- Balkcom entered the race in August with little money. Ager has raised nearly $6 million.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_North_Carolina
- https://www.axios.com/2026/08/05/chuck-edwards-reelection-censure-harassment
- https://rollcall.com/2026/08/10/north-carolina-republicans-pick-state-legislator-to-replace-edwards-on-ballot/
- https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2026/09/01/House-censures-chuck-edwards/7051788311463/