North Carolina GOP Selects Balkcom for 11th District

A panel of North Carolina Republican officials selected state Representative Jennifer Balkcom on Monday, August 10, 2026, as their nominee for the 11th Congressional District, following the withdrawal of embattled Representative Chuck Edwards from the race. The decision came after Edwards announced last week he would not seek a third term amid a House Ethics Committee investigation that found substantial evidence he violated House Rules related to sexual harassment.

The North Carolina GOP's 11th Congressional District Executive Committee met in a closed-door session Monday night to choose Balkcom from a field of candidates. Under party rules, the nominee was selected by a vote requiring over 50 percent support. Balkcom, who has served in the state House of Representatives since 2023, will face Democratic nominee Jamie Ager in the November general election.

Edwards, who had been endorsed by President Donald Trump, announced he would serve out the remainder of his term but would not run for reelection. His decision followed the release of a House Ethics Committee report that recommended censure. The committee found substantial reason to believe Edwards violated House prohibitions...