Republicans choose a nominee to replace scandal-plagued Chuck Edwards

With about two-and-a-half months remaining before the Nov. 3 general election, Republican leaders in North Carolina have replaced scandal-plagued incumbent U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards on the ballot in hopes of being able to hold on to his seat, as congressional Democrats mount a strong charge to take control of the House of Representatives. 

Republican leaders in the Tar Heel State last week selected state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom of Henderson to replace Rep. Edwards as the party’s nominee in the 11th Congressional District, which covers western North Carolina. Balkcom will face Democratic nominee Jamie Ager in the November general election. 

The move comes after Edwards withdrew from the race on Aug. 5, two days after the House Ethics Committee released the findings of a monthslong investigation into the Republican lawmaker’s alleged inappropriate conduct toward two young women on his staff. The committee concluded that Edwards had violated House rules against sexual harassment and fostering a hostile workplace environment.  

“Representative Edwards’ conduct was inappropriate and implicated the laws and rules prohibiting sexual harassment and unwanted advances by a Member towards a subordinate employee,” the committee concluded.

The report said that Edwards had given the two female staff members lavish gifts, made inappropriate comments about their appearance, and invited them “to intimate dinners and vacations,” and engaged in other inappropriate behavior. The committee ultimately recommended that the House censure Edwards. 

Censure, a formal public condemnation by the full House, is approved by a simple majority of the chamber’s members that are present during the vote. It’s one of the strongest sanctions the House can take against a sitting member, short of expulsion. Typically, a member stands before colleagues in the House chamber while the speaker reads the censure resolution aloud. A censure vote does not remove a lawmaker from office and is not a criminal penalty. As of now, a move to censure Edwards has not been taken up by the full House.

Edwards announced his withdrawal in an Aug 5. Facebook post, writing, “After much prayer and thoughtful reflection, and many conversations with my family, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from my re-election campaign.” 

He wrote that he would complete his current term and thanked his constituents, supporters and staff. The statement did not directly address the Ethics Committee report or its findings. 

Because Edwards withdrew after winning the primary, another election to fill his seat will not be held. Under North Carolina law, the party’s district executive committee appoints a replacement when a congressional nominee withdraws before the general election. Members of the 11th Congressional District Republican Executive Committee chose Balkcom from among six candidates on Aug. 10, leaving her fewer than 80 days to campaign before Election Day.

In a post on X, Balkcom expressed her gratitude for having been chosen and said that if elected she would focus on the needs of farmers and businesses in the region, among other issues. She vowed to “preserve our mountain values, work with President Trump’s Administration to continue rebuilding western North Carolina, and make sure Washington never forgets the people who call these mountains home.” She did not address the allegations against Edwards in her statement. 

Ager did, however — albeit obliquely — writing on Facebook, “Our people deserve representatives who will put Western North Carolina first, not ignore us while they misbehave in D.C.” 

Ager expressed sympathy for the women who worked in Edwards’ office and confidence that he himself would be able to meet the needs of his constituents should he win office.