Politics

Balkcom wins Trump's 'Complete and Total Endorsement'

By Bill Moss, Published: August 18, 2026

To no one's surprise, President Donald Trump on Monday issued a strong endorsement of Jennifer Balkcom, who last week was appointed as the Republican nominee in place of incumbent Chuck Edwards.

Edwards dropped his re-election campaign on Aug. 5, two days after the House Ethics Committee recommended censure for what it called inappropriate behavior with two female staffers in their 20s. Five days later, the Republican Party's 11th Congressional District Committee named Balkcom the party's nominee. A second-term state House member from Henderson County, Balkcom faces Jamie Ager, a fourth generation cattle farmer from Fairview, in the Nov. 3 election, 11 weeks from today.

"It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Jennifer Balkcom, who is running to represent the wonderful people of North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District," the president wrote in his randomly capitalized "Complete and Total Endorsement" posted on his Truth Social website."A Highly Respected State Representative, Small Business Owner, and Civic Leader, prior to running for Congress, Jennifer has dedicated her life to serving her Community."