North Carolina GOP Selects Balkcom as 11th District Nominee After Edwards Exits Race

The North Carolina Republican Party’s 11th Congressional District Executive Committee selected state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom as its nominee on Monday, filling the vacancy created by Rep. Chuck Edwards’ decision to abandon his re-election campaign last week. The move came swiftly following Edwards’ announcement that he would complete his current term but would not seek another.

U.S. Sen. Ted Budd and U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy, both Republicans from North Carolina, have thrown their support behind Balkcom in the general election matchup. She will face Democratic candidate Jamie Ager in the fall campaign for the seat representing Western North Carolina.

Balkcom characterized her nomination as a validation of conservative values in her statement to supporters. She criticized the Democratic Party for what she described as abandoning traditional principles and moving toward extremism, arguing that Republicans must prevent a “radical agenda” from influencing government at the federal level.

Zach Almond, executive director of the North Carolina Republican Party, praised the selection during a Tuesday call with Fox News Digital. He highlighted Balkcom’s background in agriculture, banking, and finance as qualifications that would benefit Western North Carolina’s representation in Congress.

Edwards’ withdrawal followed a House Committee on Ethics report recommending his censure. The committee determined he engaged in inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers, including giving them expensive gifts, making comments about their appearance, and inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, despite his denial of sexual intent.