President Donald Trump is moving quickly to unite Republicans behind their new nominee in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District after Rep. Chuck Edwards abruptly ended his re-election campaign.
Trump endorsed state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom on Monday, calling the western North Carolina lawmaker an “America First Patriot” and giving her his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
“It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Jennifer Balkcom, who is running to represent the wonderful people of North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump described Balkcom as a respected state legislator, small-business owner and civic leader who has devoted her life to serving her community.
The president also used the endorsement to draw a sharp contrast with Democratic nominee Jamie Ager, a western North Carolina farmer and business owner. Trump portrayed Ager as a left-wing candidate and argued that Balkcom would support his administration’s priorities on taxes, border security, domestic energy, election security, veterans and the Second Amendment.
“SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump declared at the conclusion of his post.
Balkcom thanked the president shortly afterward.
“THANK YOU, President Trump!” she wrote on X. “I’m incredibly grateful for your support, and I’m proud to stand and fight for the people of Western North Carolina.”
Balkcom said she would work with Trump to continue rebuilding communities damaged by Hurricane Helene, make life more affordable for working families and deliver results for the region.
No separate statement concerning Balkcom’s candidacy had been posted by the White House as of publication. Trump’s endorsement came through his personal Truth Social account rather than an official White House release.
A Sudden Change at the Top of the Ticket
Balkcom became the Republican nominee after Edwards withdrew from the race on Aug. 5, despite having already won the March Republican primary with Trump’s backing.
His departure came two days after the House Ethics Committee released the results of an investigation into his treatment of two young female congressional staffers.
The committee said there was “substantial reason to believe” Edwards violated House rules concerning sexual harassment and hostile workplaces. It recommended that the House formally censure him, according to the panel’s official statement.
The accompanying report described a pattern that included repeated gifts, comments about the women’s appearance, invitations to private dinners and vacations, and notes expressing affection. Edwards denied that his conduct was intended as a romantic or sexual advance and disputed the committee’s conclusions.
Edwards said he would finish his current term but would no longer seek re-election.
Republican officials from the 11th District subsequently held an emergency meeting in Asheville to select a replacement nominee. Balkcom defeated five other contenders on the first ballot, according to Carolina Public Press.
Balkcom, a two-term state representative from Henderson County, said after her selection that Republicans must hold the seat, protect the region’s “mountain values” and work with the Trump administration on Helene recovery.
What the Numbers Show
The district has a Republican history, but the sudden change in nominees has made the race more difficult to predict.
Trump carried the district by approximately 9.5 percentage points in 2024, receiving 54% of the vote to Kamala Harris’ 44.5%, according to a district-level analysis of election returns compiled by Akashic. Edwards won his 2024 House race by roughly 13.6 points.
However, Sabato’s Crystal Ball moved the race from “Leans Republican” to “Toss-up” on July 30, before Edwards ended his campaign. Its ratings tracker had not recorded a subsequent change following Balkcom’s selection.
The only publicly available 2026 district poll located as of publication does not test the new matchup.
That survey, conducted by Democratic firm Impact Research in December 2025 and released by Ager’s campaign in January, showed Ager leading Edwards 45% to 44%. After voters heard biographical information about both candidates, Ager’s advantage grew to seven points, according to the campaign’s release.
Because the poll was commissioned by the Democratic campaign and tested Edwards rather than Balkcom, it should not be treated as a measurement of the current race. No public head-to-head survey between Balkcom and Ager was found.
Trump’s endorsement now gives Balkcom a powerful asset as she attempts to consolidate Republicans, introduce herself across the district and overcome the circumstances that forced the party to replace its nominee less than three months before Election Day.
For Trump, the message was unmistakable: Republicans have a new candidate, and he wants his supporters firmly behind her.
