Who's running in North Carolina's 11th congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Economic growth and support for North Carolina farmers, the themes the NRCC cited in welcoming her nomination.
Border security and immigration enforcement.
Community safety, which she has made a campaign theme.
The Republican legislative agenda in Congress.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
North Carolina state representative for the 117th district, based in Henderson County, since 2023.
Selected on August 10, 2026 by the North Carolina Republican Party's 11th District executive committee to replace Chuck Edwards as the nominee.
Endorsed by President Trump, Sen. Ted Budd, Rep. Greg Murphy and North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall.
Was serving in the state legislature during the disputes over Hurricane Helene recovery funding for western North Carolina.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed her, as did North Carolina's junior senator, a member of the state's congressional delegation and the Speaker of the North Carolina House.
— President Donald Trump; Sen. Ted Budd; Rep. Greg Murphy; North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall
The House Republican campaign committee said she would help deliver a strong economy, support North Carolina farmers and maintain a secure border.
— NRCC spokesman Reilly Richardson
Arguments against
Her opponent's campaign says Republican insiders picked her rather than voters, and that corporate PACs, Washington insiders and dark money groups now have a name to write cheques to; it points to tens of thousands of dollars she has taken from corporate interests in Raleigh.
— The Jamie Ager campaign
She has been criticised for her record in the legislature during the disputes over Hurricane Helene recovery funding for the western counties she now seeks to represent.
— Criticism reported by Cardinal & Pine in its NC-11 candidate comparison
What we couldn’t verify
Balkcom's response to the corporate donations criticism was not established from sources read.
The Helene funding criticism is reported in general terms; the specific votes at issue were not established here.
She entered the race in August, so there is less published material about her congressional campaign than about her opponent's.
Farm and rural economic policy, drawing on four generations of farming in Buncombe County.
Reducing the influence of outside money in politics; he is endorsed by End Citizens United and Patriotic Millionaires.
Hurricane Helene recovery for western North Carolina.
Evidence-based policy; he is endorsed by 314 Action.
Workers' rights; he is endorsed by the Carpenters union's southern council.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Fourth-generation farmer in Buncombe County.
Won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary.
Named to the DCCC's Red to Blue list; also endorsed by the Blue Dog PAC, 314 Action, End Citizens United, Patriotic Millionaires, Red Wine & Blue, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters' southern council and Rep. Suzan DelBene.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
He has been endorsed both by the centrist Blue Dog PAC and by progressive and campaign finance groups, and the House Democratic campaign committee put him on its Red to Blue list of priority challengers.
— DCCC Red to Blue; Blue Dog PAC; 314 Action; End Citizens United; Patriotic Millionaires; Rep. Suzan DelBene
A building trades union endorsed him, which his campaign presents as evidence a farmer can hold together the rural and labour parts of a western North Carolina coalition.
— United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, southern council
Arguments against
Republicans say he would push a radical, anti-ICE immigration plan that would handcuff federal law enforcement and grant amnesty to people in the country illegally.
— Republican campaign material reported alongside the NRCC's response to Balkcom's nomination
What we couldn’t verify
The characterisation of his immigration position comes from his opponents; his own stated plan was not located, and it is recorded here as their description rather than as his platform.
His campaign website returned an access error when checked; the address given is the one his campaign materials list.
His fundraising was not established from sources read.
Libertarian candidate for North Carolina's 11th District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Groo's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Groo by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond the ballot listing.
His fundraising was not established from sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
This race changed shape in August 2026. Republican incumbent Chuck Edwards ended his re-election campaign on August 5 after the House Ethics Committee recommended he be censured, finding he had fostered a hostile work environment and sexually harassed two young female staffers; he denies wrongdoing, and the House censured him 413-2 on September 2. Because he withdrew after the primary, state law let the North Carolina Republican Party's 11th District executive committee choose a replacement, and it picked state representative Jennifer Balkcom of Henderson County on August 10. She faces Democrat Jamie Ager, who won the March 3 primary, and Libertarian Travis Groo. The district covers the far west of the state including Asheville and Buncombe County. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and NBC News, BPR and WFAE reporting. Criticism of Groo by name could not be found, so his entry carries no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A North Carolina ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at North Carolina State Board of Elections.