BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Jennifer Balkcom was selected Monday night to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards as the Republican nominee for North Carolina's 11th Congressional District race.
The state representative from Henderson County has served two terms in office representing District 117. She serves as chair of the Appropriations, Agriculture, Natural and Economic Resources Committee and the Insurance Committee, as well as vice chair of the Appropriations Committee and the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery.
Balkcom released the following statement after receiving the nomination:
“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.
“Like many Americans, the Democrat Party left me behind when they abandoned their values and embraced extremism. We’re seeing that extremism play out across the country, as their party nominates radical socialists who want to raise taxes, open our borders, and do away with our way of life. We must prevent that radical agenda from reaching our government, and that starts right here in the Eleventh District.
“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.”
In a post on X, North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd endorsed Balkcom, saying, "She'll bring the values & strength of WNC to D.C., work to grow our economy, & always stand up for NC-11."
National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesperson Reilly Richardson congratulated Balkcom, adding that she is ready to "hit the ground running and deliver results for Western North Carolina."
Balkcom was among six candidates the North Carolina Republican Party's 11th Congressional District Executive Committee considered during Monday's meeting to replace Rep. Edwards on the ballot in November.
Edwards announced he was no longer seeking reelection Aug. 5 in the wake of a U.S. House Committee on Ethics report that recommended the incumbent be censured over alleged misconduct with staffers.
Balkcom will now face Democratic candidate Jamie Ager in November.
STORY & PICTURE COURTESY OF WLOS TV-13
