N.C. Republicans pick Jennifer Balkcom for November ballot

North Carolina Republicans chose Jennifer Balkcom on Saturday to replace U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards on the November ballot after he dropped out of the race last week.

Edwards, who represented the state’s 11th Congressional District, withdrew from the contest on July 14 citing unspecified personal reasons. His departure left Republicans scrambling to find a replacement less than three months before the election. Balkcom, a former Buncombe County commissioner, was selected by the state GOP executive committee in a closed meeting. Her nomination now allows the party to put her name directly on the ballot for the November 5 general election.

Balkcom, 53, has served on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners since 2020 and previously worked as a public health administrator. She ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2022 against Edwards, who had held the seat since 2023. State party officials said Balkcom brings strong local ties and fundraising experience, critical for a tight race in a competitive district. Democrats have not yet named their candidate, but the party is expected to focus on flipping the seat in November.

The special election to fill the remainder of Edwards’ term will still proceed, with a separate primary scheduled for September 10. But Balkcom’s placement on the November ballot means Republicans have a unified ticket heading into the fall campaign. Analysts say the district’s partisan lean could make this race one of the most watched in the South this year.