ASHEVILLE, N.C. (NCN News) – A current state lawmaker has been named to run as the Republican nominee in the 11th Congressional District race, after incumbent Chuck Edwards quit the campaign over ethics allegations.
117th District Rep. Jennifer Balkcom of Hendersonville was selected from a field of five candidates to face Democrat Jamie Ager in November. The district includes a major section of western North Carolina.
Balkcom was elected to a seat formerly held by now Sen. Tim Moffitt. He succeeded Edwards in that position.
Balkcom issued a statement shortly after the selection:
“I’m blessed to receive the Republican nomination for the 11th Congressional District. Western North Carolina is where I was born, raised, and chose to raise my own family. It has been an incredible honor to fight for Henderson County in Raleigh, and I will take that fight to Washington and work every single day to make life more affordable for working families, improve community safety, support our farmers, and ensure we have the resources we need to continue to recover from Hurricane Helene.”
“Rest assured, I will work every single day between now and Election Day to earn the votes of our friends and neighbors. Our region is incredibly strong and resilient, and I plan to be the fighter everyone who calls Western North Carolina home deserves.”
Edwards announced earlier this month that he would not seek another term, after The House Committee on Ethics e released a report confirming he “violated House Rules related to sexual harassment and hostile workplaces.”
Edwards had defeated then incumbent Rep. Madison Cawthorn in the 2022 Republican Primary. Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows also served in the seat from 2013 until 2020.
Balkcom has held many leadership positions in her community, including as Vice President of the Hendersonville Women’s Club, Vice President of the Hendersonville Lions Club, and as Treasurer of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Western North Carolina.
A Democrat hasn’t represented the district in nearly 15 years. Heath Shuler served from 2007-2013.