North Carolina GOP committee picks Jennifer Balkcom to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards on November ballot

A panel of Republican officials in North Carolina selected a state lawmaker on Monday as their nominee for a House race after embattled Rep. Chuck Edwards dropped his re-election bid following sexual harassment allegations . Jennifer Balkcom, who represents a state legislative district in Henderson County, will face Jamie Ager, who won the Democratic primary in March. North Carolina GOP’s Executive Committee for the 11th Congressional District picked Balkcom to replace Edwards in compliance with state law given how late in the campaign he dropped out. Balkcom faces a sprint to Election Day, which is less than three months away.

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Scoop News DeskNorth Carolina GOP · Published Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 12:04 AM UTCUpdated Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 11:29 PM UTC

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She announced her intention to seek the nomination less than 24 hours ago. “This race is too important to sit out,” Balkcom wrote in a statement Sunday posted to X , adding that Western North Carolina “needs a strong voice right now” as it continues to rebuild after Hurricane Helene.

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