North Carolina Republicans on Monday selected state lawmaker Jennifer Balkcom as their nominee to represent the 11th congressional district in November elections, replacing incumbent congressman Chuck Edwards who ended his re-election campaign earlier in the month.
Edwards withdrew from the race following a US House ethics committee investigation that determined his conduct toward young female staffers likely constituted sexual harassment. The investigation found that Edwards had “fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment” toward two female employees in his Washington office, though it uncovered no evidence of sexual activity or explicit proposals. The ethics committee recommended censure based on violations of House code of conduct provisions prohibiting sexual harassment and unwanted advances.
Balkcom will face Democrat Jamie Ager in the general election. The district has been reliably Republican in recent election cycles, with Donald Trump securing a 10-point margin two years ago. However, Democrats have identified the race as a potential pickup opportunity, citing President Trump’s low approval ratings and regional frustration over recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene’s impact in 2024. No House Democrat has won election in the district since 2010, though the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had already added the seat to its target list prior to Edwards’ departure.
Edwards was first elected in 2022 after defeating scandal-plagued congressman Madison Cawthorn in a Republican primary. He had secured his party’s nomination again in March’s primary election. Balkcom won selection over five other candidates in the first round of balloting at a meeting of regional Republican officials convened in Asheville by the state party.
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