Candidate for U.S. Representative, North Carolina District 11
Jennifer Balkcom
Republican
Jennifer Balkcom is a two-term Republican state representative from Henderson County and a mortgage loan officer whom the district's Republican Executive Committee chose on Aug. 10, 2026, to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards as the party's nominee. Her campaign focuses on lowering costs for working families, community safety, supporting farmers and Hurricane Helene recovery.
- Current or most recent role
- State Representative, N.C. House District 117 (Henderson County); mortgage loan officer
- Hometown
- Hendersonville area (Henderson County)
- Campaign website
- jenniferbalkcom.com
Why they say you should vote for them
The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.
- Uses the campaign slogan "Mountain made. Farm raised." and says she grew up on her family's apple farm in Henderson County.[1]
- Says her priorities are lowering costs for working families, improving community safety, supporting farmers and continuing Hurricane Helene recovery.[2],[3]
- Says she entered the race because "when your community needs you, you don't sit on the sidelines; you step up."[4]
Background
- State Representative, District 117, North Carolina House of Representatives · 2023–present[5],[6]
- Mortgage loan officer, ALCOVA Mortgage[7]
- Banking and finance work, including as a bank branch manager · Since 1998[1],[7]
- Board member, Henderson County Education Foundation[1]
Education
Where they stand
- Economy & JobsSays she will work to make life more affordable for working families, and that "our farmers, families, and small businesses need someone who understands them."[2],[3]
- AgricultureSays rolling back regulations is good for farms and supports making more fertilizer and building more tractors in the U.S.; was a lead sponsor of the N.C. Farmland and Military Protection Act, which became law in July 2026.[9],[8]
- ImmigrationSays immigration must be done "the legal way" and supports border security, describing legal immigration as the best way to supply workers for farms.[9]
- InfrastructureLists continued Hurricane Helene recovery and rebuilding western North Carolina as priorities; as a state lawmaker she led efforts to provide additional state funding for Helene recovery and cleanup.[3],[7]
- AbortionDescribes herself as pro-life; voted in 2023 to override the governor's veto of the state law restricting most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy.[6],[10]
Voting record
A selection of notable recorded votes. Not a complete record.
| Measure | Vote | Date |
|---|---|---|
| S.B. 20 (2023) – Care for Women, Children, and Families Act (veto override) Restricts most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, with later limits for rape, incest and life-limiting fetal anomalies and an exception for medical emergencies. (N.C. House) | Yes[10],[6] | May 16, 2023 |
| H.B. 76 (2023) – Access to Healthcare Options Expanded Medicaid eligibility to more low-income adults in North Carolina, among other health care changes (final House vote concurring with Senate changes; passed 87–24). (N.C. House) | No[11] | Mar 23, 2023 |
| H.B. 149 (2024) – Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 State relief package passed after Hurricane Helene to fund recovery in western North Carolina (passed 113–0). (N.C. House) | Yes[12] | Oct 9, 2024 |
| H.B. 805 (2025) – Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors (veto override) Bill on sexual exploitation of women and minors that also set school rules for overnight-trip sleeping arrangements and library book lists and barred state funds for prisoners' gender-transition care; Balkcom was one of its three primary sponsors. (N.C. House) | Yes[13],[16],[7] | Jul 29, 2025 |
In their words
Sources
- Balkcom for Congress (home page), Balkcom for Congress
- Jennifer Balkcom picked as Rep. Edwards' replacement in North Carolina congressional race, WLOS, August 10, 2026
- Jennifer Balkcom to replace Edwards on NC-11 ballot, Carolina Journal, August 10, 2026
- Moffitt and Smith pass on NC-11 run to replace Edwards; Balkcom throws hat in ring, BPR News, August 10, 2026
- Representative Jennifer Balkcom (Rep), North Carolina General Assembly
- Jennifer Balkcom, Wikipedia
- Balkcom to Replace Edwards as GOP Candidate for 11th District, The Assembly, August 10, 2026
- House Bill 133 (2025-2026 Session): NC Farmland and Military Protection Act, North Carolina General Assembly
- Jamie Ager, Jennifer Balkcom share stage in first joint public forum in NC-11 race, WLOS, August 27, 2026
- House Roll Call Vote Transcript #380 (S.B. 20, veto override), North Carolina General Assembly, May 16, 2023
- House Roll Call Vote Transcript #113 (H.B. 76, concurrence), North Carolina General Assembly, March 23, 2023
- House Roll Call Vote Transcript #797 (H.B. 149, conference report), North Carolina General Assembly, October 9, 2024
- House Roll Call Vote Transcript #584 (H.B. 805, veto override), North Carolina General Assembly, July 29, 2025
- North Carolina GOP committee picks Jennifer Balkcom to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards on November ballot, NBC News, August 10, 2026
- 2026 Candidate Listing (general election candidates), North Carolina State Board of Elections
- House Bill 805 (2025-2026 Session): Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors, North Carolina General Assembly
Photo: Official portrait, North Carolina General Assembly (Official government portrait).
Last reviewed October 10, 2026. Spot an error or something missing? Report a correction.
Also running for U.S. Representative, North Carolina District 11
- Jamie Ager (Democratic)
- Travis Groo (Libertarian)