WNC News -- August 11, 2026: Members of the North Carolina 11th Congressional District Republican Executive Committee met Monday evening to select State Representative Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson) as the Republican nominee for the 11th Congressional District ballot this November.
Balkcom was chosen on the first ballot from a field of six candidates during a meeting at the Buncombe County Republican Party headquarters in Asheville.
The nomination follows the sudden withdrawal of incumbent U.S. Representative Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville) from his re-election campaign. Edwards announced his decision after a U.S. House Ethics Committee report recommended he be censured for conduct toward young female staffers that violated House standards regarding unwanted advances and hostile workplace environment rules. Edwards stated he will complete his current term in Congress.
Key Takeaways from the Executive Committee Vote
First-Ballot Selection: Balkcom secured the necessary majority vote during the initial tally among the 11th District Executive Committee members. Other potential candidates under consideration included Ken McKim, Chad Nesbitt, Matthew Burril, and Kristie Sluder.
Party Leadership Support: District GOP Chair Merry Guy cited Balkcom’s legislative experience, agricultural background, and deep community ties in Western North Carolina as key factors in her selection.
State House Replacement Needed: Balkcom currently represents District 117 in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where she has served since 2023. Because state law prohibits a candidate from running for two distinct offices on the same ballot, local party officials will need to name a replacement candidate for her state House seat.
Balkcom’s Background and Platform Priorities
Balkcom, an eighth-generation farmer and mortgage loan officer from Henderson County, outlined her core platform priorities in a statement following her nomination:
Economic Relief: Addressing the rising cost of living and inflation impacting working families across the district.
Disaster Recovery: Ensuring federal and state resources continue flowing to Western North Carolina communities recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Local Agriculture & Safety: Supporting local agricultural producers and enhancing community public safety initiatives.
"Western North Carolina is where I was born, raised, and chose to raise my own family," Balkcom said in a statement. "It has been an incredible honor to fight for Henderson County in Raleigh, and I will take that fight to Washington."
November Election Outlook
Balkcom enters the general election race with less than 90 days before Election Day. She will face Democratic nominee Jamie Ager, a Buncombe County farmer and local business owner who won the Democratic primary in March.
While the 11th District historically leans Republican, political analysts note that the mid-cycle candidate swap creates a high-visibility matchup across the 15 counties of Western North Carolina heading into the fall.
For daily updates, local reporting, and breaking news across Western North Carolina, stay tuned to wnctimes.