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Nation

Democrat flips NC's 11th District after Edwards drops out

Jamie Ager wins congressional race following Chuck Edwards' withdrawal

New York Editorial News Desk November 3, 2026 1 min read

The Brief

  • Democrat Jamie Ager won North Carolina's 11th District after Chuck Edwards ended his campaign.
  • State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom replaced Edwards on the ballot less than 90 days before the election.
  • House censured Edwards in September over ethics violations involving two female staff members.

Democrat Jamie Ager secured victory in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, according to CBS News projections, marking the first Democratic win in the seat since 2010.

Ager, a fourth-generation farmer, was initially supposed to face Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards, who ended his reelection bid in early August.

State Representative Jennifer Balkcom stepped in to replace Edwards on the ballot, less than 90 days before the election, putting her at a disadvantage in an already tough political climate for Republicans.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted the race from lean Republican to toss-up after Edwards suspended his campaign.

The House voted overwhelmingly to censure Edwards in September after the bipartisan House Ethics Committee found the two-term congressman engaged in 'persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct' toward two young women who worked for him.

Though Edwards argued the committee's findings 'completely exonerate' him under House rules, he abandoned his reelection bid days later.

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