U.S. House · North Carolina's 11th District

Western North Carolina, including Asheville and Buncombe County and all or part of Avery, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey counties.

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED

Jamie Ager, projected winner

Candidate	Votes	Share
Jamie Ager	195,629	57.1%
Jennifer Balkcom	141,423	41.3%
Travis Groo	5,333	1.6%

About 99% of the expected vote counted. As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. NBC News ↗

Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research

Incumbent Chuck Edwards won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary, but ended his re-election campaign on August 5, 2026, after the House Ethics Committee released a report finding he had "engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct" toward two female staffers and recommending he be censured. The 11th District Republican Party executive committee selected North Carolina House member Jennifer Balkcom on August 10, 2026 to replace Edwards as the Republican nominee on the November ballot. Jamie Ager won a five-way Democratic primary.[1][2][8]
The Ethics Committee's report, based on a 25-page investigation, described Edwards giving two young staffers "lavish" gifts including jewelry, designer purses, and a KitchenAid mixer, inviting them on "intimate dinners and vacations," and sending personal notes; it said both staffers eventually left his office. Edwards's attorneys responded that the findings did not establish sexual harassment under House rules and that he "sincerely regrets that his behavior created discomfort," while his campaign said he "looks forward to having his name cleared."[2]
On September 1, 2026, the full House voted 413-2 to agree to H. Res. 1498, "In the matter of allegations relating to Representative Chuck Edwards," censuring him.[7]
Edwards remains a sitting member of Congress representing the 11th District through the end of his term but is not on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot.[1]

On the November 3 ballot · 3 candidates

Jamie AgerDPROJECTED WINNERFull profile →Jennifer BalkcomRMember, North Carolina House of Representatives, District 117 (since 2023)Full profile →Travis GrooLIBFull profile →

Issue evidence — side by side

Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.

Expand immigration enforcement and deportations

Jamie Ager
In their own words[9]
“I support reforms that treat people with dignity and give businesses the workforce they need to grow, all while keeping every community safe.”
On his campaign platform page
Jennifer Balkcom
—
Travis Groo
In their own words[11]
“If Americans want immigrants to enter through legal channels, we need to make those channels fair, reasonable, and accessible.”
In answers to a WLOS (News 13) candidate questionnaire, Oct. 15, 2026

Loosen zoning rules to build more housing

Jamie Ager
In their own words[9]
“We need more housing for owners and renters.”
On his campaign platform page
Jennifer Balkcom
—
Travis Groo
—

Raise taxes on high earners or corporations

Jamie Ager
Supports[9]
His campaign platform says he will push to reform the tax code so those at the top pay their fair share.
Jennifer Balkcom
—
Travis Groo
In their own words[6]
“Get rid of the income tax.”
In his 2026 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, on the federal income tax

Expand public health coverage

Jamie Ager
Supports[9]
His campaign platform says he will push for a public option and support Medicaid and Medicare.
Jennifer Balkcom
—
Travis Groo
—

Increase police funding and staffing

Jamie Ager
Supports[9]
His campaign platform says he will back more investment in law enforcement pay and training.
Jennifer Balkcom
—
Travis Groo
—

Universal, publicly funded child care

Jamie Ager
In their own words[9]
“I’ll push to expand grants and the child tax credit for young families.”
On his campaign platform page
Jennifer Balkcom
—
Travis Groo
—

Bar transgender women and girls from women's and girls' school sports

Jamie Ager
—
Jennifer Balkcom
Supports[10]
As a state representative she was lead sponsor of House Bill 574, the Fairness in Women's Sports Act, which bars transgender athletes from women's school sports; it became law in 2023 over the governor's veto.
Travis Groo
—

ISSUE	Jamie Ager D	Jennifer Balkcom R	Travis Groo LIB
Expand immigration enforcement and deportations	In their own words[9] “I support reforms that treat people with dignity and give businesses the workforce they need to grow, all while keeping every community safe.” On his campaign platform page	—	In their own words[11] “If Americans want immigrants to enter through legal channels, we need to make those channels fair, reasonable, and accessible.” In answers to a WLOS (News 13) candidate questionnaire, Oct. 15, 2026
Loosen zoning rules to build more housing	In their own words[9] “We need more housing for owners and renters.” On his campaign platform page	—	—
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations	Supports[9] His campaign platform says he will push to reform the tax code so those at the top pay their fair share.	—	In their own words[6] “Get rid of the income tax.” In his 2026 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, on the federal income tax
Expand public health coverage	Supports[9] His campaign platform says he will push for a public option and support Medicaid and Medicare.	—	—
Increase police funding and staffing	Supports[9] His campaign platform says he will back more investment in law enforcement pay and training.	—	—
Universal, publicly funded child care	In their own words[9] “I’ll push to expand grants and the child tax credit for young families.” On his campaign platform page	—	—
Bar transgender women and girls from women's and girls' school sports	—	Supports[10] As a state representative she was lead sponsor of House Bill 574, the Fairness in Women's Sports Act, which bars transgender athletes from women's school sports; it became law in 2023 over the governor's veto.	—

Research notes & limits

Chuck Edwards is the sitting incumbent but is not a general-election candidate; his ethics case is described in context, sourced to Blue Ridge Public Radio's reporting on the House Ethics Committee report, rather than being treated as an unproven allegation. The August 5 withdrawal date, the August 10 selection of Jennifer Balkcom, and the September 1 House censure vote (413-2, Roll Call 292) were independently confirmed against The Epoch Times and the official Clerk of the House roll-call record, since the original BPR source predated those events. Travis Groo (Libertarian) has a minimal public record beyond his brief candidate survey answers. Biography detail for Travis Groo is limited to his Ballotpedia profile; no campaign website or news profile with personal background was found.

Sources · 22

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

1.United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
2.House Ethics Committee recommends censure for Rep. Chuck Edwards over 'inappropriate conduct' toward female staffers · Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR) · 2026-08-03 News report
3.Jamie Ager and Jennifer Balkcom campaign ads (via Ballotpedia) · Ballotpedia, quoting Ager and Balkcom campaign ads Candidate's own words
4.Jennifer Balkcom · Ballotpedia Reference
5.Jennifer Balkcom - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
6.Travis Groo - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
7.Roll Call 292 - On Agreeing to the Resolution - H. Res. 1498, In the matter of allegations relating to Representative Chuck Edwards · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · 2026-09-01 Official record
8.North Carolina GOP Picks State Lawmaker to Replace Rep. Chuck Edwards on November Ballot · The Epoch Times · 2026-08-11 News report
9.Platform | Ager for Congress · Ager for Congress (campaign website) Candidate's own words
10.NCGA overrides new record six Cooper vetoes in one day · Carolina Journal News report
11.Know your candidate: Travis Groo for North Carolina's 11th Congressional District · WLOS (News 13) News report
12.Jamie Ager · Ballotpedia Reference
13.Meet Jamie Ager · Ager for Congress Candidate's own words
14.Local farmer's congressional bid highlights rural issues and community resilience · WSOC-TV · 2025-08-18 News report
15.North Carolina 11th District U.S. House election results 2026 · NBC News News report
16.Jennifer Balkcom · Ballotpedia Reference
17.Balkcom for Congress · Balkcom for Congress Candidate's own words
18.Jennifer Balkcom picked as Rep. Edwards' replacement in North Carolina congressional race · WLOS (via KMPH) · 2026-08-10 News report
19.North Carolina GOP Picks State Lawmaker to Replace Rep. Chuck Edwards on November Ballot · The Epoch Times · 2026-08-11 News report
20.U.S. House North Carolina's 11th District results 2026 · NBC News News report
21.Travis Groo · Ballotpedia Reference
22.U.S. House North Carolina's 11th District results 2026 · NBC News News report