FLAT ROCK, N.C. (WLOS) — For the first time in North Carolina’s 2026 11th Congressional District race, shared the stage at their first joint public forum on Aug. 27.

Candidates Jamie Ager (D-N.C.) and State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (R-N.C.) participated in a candidate forum on agriculture.

If you were hoping to hear how the 11th Congressional candidates differ, you might have to wait a little longer. But the Ager and Balkcom argue that’s not always a bad thing.

During the forum, Republican Balkcom and Democrat Ager frequently found common ground on issues affecting farmers.

“No, I think we agree mostly on this. I’m glad we do. I’m glad we’re supporting farmers,” Balkcom said.

Ager agreed on the need to increase domestic production.

“I think you’re totally right about the fact that we need to create more production here at home, in America," said Ager.

The candidates also agreed that rolling back regulations and making farming more affordable are important.

“I think we’re good. We agree that rolling back regulations are good for the farm, and that’s what we need to do,” Balkcom said.

At another point, Ager said, “I think we totally agree,” prompting Balkcom to laugh and ask, “What did he say?”

Ager and Balkcom both have farming backgrounds, which they say helped create some common ground during the forum.

“We’re both farm kids, and that helps bring some more camaraderie,” Ager said.
Balkcom echoed that sentiment, while taking a slight jab at her opponent.

“I think we both love agriculture. I think we both want to protect it. I just have been fighting for it," Balkcom said.
Their views on tariffs were also similar, though there were some differences.

Balkcom said more agricultural manufacturing should be brought back to the United States.

“Let’s do more making fertilizers here. Let’s build more tractors here. Let’s have those parts here, built and bringing jobs back,” she said.

Ager said tariffs should be viewed as a tool rather than an end goal.

“Tariffs are just a tool; they’re not the end goal," Ager said.

He also pointed to the impact retaliatory tariffs can have on farmers.

“To me, those tariffs had the unintended consequence of retaliatory tariffs that devastated so many farms and the only thing to do then was bail them out, which was not a good outcome, not a good scenario. So, we gotta be more strategic with how we do these things," Ager said.

Anyone looking for firm differences between the candidates at Thursday’s agriculture forum had to look closely.

Candidates were asked a total of seven questions, and one of the areas where they differentiated the most was trade, tariffs and immigration policy.

Ager said the country needs meaningful, long-term immigration reform.

“That was probably a point of difference between us in that we need meaningful long-term immigration reform, and that’s a root cause problem for a lot of things that are happening in America," Ager said.

Balkcom emphasized border security and legal immigration.

“I believe in secure borders. For me, we have to do it the right way. We have to do it the legal way. And I think that’s the best way to help produce and give our workers for our farms. So, there is a little differentiation there," Balkcom said.

This was Ager and Balkcom's first forum together since Balkcom was added to the race. Balkcom was picked to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards, who dropped out after the House Ethics Committee found substantial reason to believe Edwards violated House rules related to sexual harassment and hostile workplaces.

The 2026 General Election is on Tuesday, Nov.3.

Agribusiness Henderson County presented the moderated forum, stating that questions were prepared in advance and that there would be no questions from the audience.

The forum addressing agriculture issues was at the Thomas Auditorium at Blue Ridge Community College.

STORY COURTESY OF WLOS-TV13