U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards Abandoned His Reelection Bid. What Happens Now?

Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards announced early Wednesday that he’ll end his reelection bid. The decision came less than 48 hours after the House Ethics Committee reported there was “substantial reason to believe Representative Edwards violated House Rules related to sexual harassment and hostile workplaces” and recommended he be censured.

Edwards said in a statement on X that he’ll serve out the remainder of his term.

“Serving Western North Carolina has been the honor of my life,” Edwards wrote at 3:32 a.m. “Thank you for your trust, prayers, and support. God bless WNC and America.”

Under state law, an executive committee of Republicans in the 11th Congressional District must now select a replacement for Edwards on the ballot. 

According to State Board of Elections guidance and administrative rules, political parties that want to replace a candidate must select them by August 20, 2026, or 75 days before the midterm election, to ensure the replacement’s name is printed on ballots. There is, however, some latitude for the State Board of Elections to reprint ballots if a replacement is chosen before they are sent to mail-in voters. They are set to go out on September 4 for the upcoming election.

The 11th District executive committee will meet on Monday to select a replacement. In a statement, North Carolina Republican Party Chair Jason Simmons expressed confidence in the process.

“The District Executive Committee will fulfill its responsibility under our rules to nominate a candidate who will fight for lower taxes, secure our border, strengthen our economy, and stand up for the values of the people of the 11th District,” Simmons said. “I am confident Republicans will unite behind our nominee and continue our work to expand our majorities in Washington.”

The development may not be welcome news for Democrats. The sexual harassment allegations against Edwards had improved the outlook for his challenger, Jamie Ager, who raised $1.4 million from April to June to Edwards’ $155,000.

Before the House released its ethics report, the nonpartisan political website Sabato’s Crystal Ball moved the contest from “lean-Republican” to “tossup.”

In the 2024 presidential election, the 11th District voted for President Donald Trump by nearly 9.5 percentage points. But national Democratic groups made the race a key target anyway, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee backing Ager even before he became the nominee. For his part, Ager remains bullish on his prospects.

“No matter who we face in November, I’m confident we can win this race and deliver what I’ve been talking about since day one: Hurricane Helene recovery, lower costs, and an end to the corruption in Washington,” Ager said in a statement on Wednesday.

The DCCC called for Edwards to resign from office immediately.

While it’s too early to say who might be chosen to replace Edwards in a district that spans 16 Western North Carolina counties, here are a few potential contenders:

Inside Track

When open congressional seats emerge, political leaders often look to the General Assembly to find a replacement. Edwards served as a state senator before running for Congress.

Unlike in state-level races, those running for U.S. House don’t have to live in the district they’re seeking to represent, which makes for a wider field of potential candidates.

State Sen. Tim Moffitt’s district overlaps with the 11th Congressional District. Moffitt said in a statement Wednesday that he would talk to neighbors and local leaders about potentially seeking the job.

“The 11th District needs a conservative who will stand shoulder to shoulder with President Trump, champion Western North Carolina values, and run a campaign that’s ready to win from day one—with the organization, the coalition, and the resources to hold this seat,” he said.

Moffitt has pushed for state-level assistance for Hurricane Helene relief, which could be a key part of the campaign if he becomes the party’s nominee. 

State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, who has become a rising star in the party, told The Assembly she’s supporting Moffitt.

State Reps. Karl Gillespie and Jake Johnson are two other viable options. While both are in leadership, Gillespie may have the edge, as Johnson is less experienced and lives just a few miles outside the congressional district. As majority whip, Gillespie is the highest-ranking House member who serves in Edwards’ district.

Johnson didn’t respond to a request for comment, while Gillespie declined to comment on whether he’d enter the race.

Longer Shot

Adam Smith is an Army veteran who ran a nonprofit organization called Savage Freedom Relief Operations during the Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. He’s considering a run, writing in a Facebook post that “nothing is off the table.”

He ran against Edwards in the primary this year, making him a likely contender. But voters soundly rejected him in March, giving Edwards the primary win by more than 40 points.

“What this district demands is a proven conservative with a real record for our mountains, someone who stands with President Trump, and someone ready to fight from day one,” Smith added. “That’s the standard I’ll be holding every name to, including my own.”

No Thanks

State Sen. Kevin Corbin, who represents several Western North Carolina counties, told The Asheville Citizen-Times he was considering a run. But he posted on Facebook on Wednesday night that he wouldn’t pursue Edwards’ seat after all.

“After discussing this tremendous opportunity with my wife, Beth, and our family, and spending considerable time in prayer, I believe my work in the North Carolina Senate is not yet finished,” Corbin wrote.

State Sen. Warren Daniel, another Republican from the region, said he’s not in the running either: “The 11th District Republican Executive Committee has some very capable members who I am confident will make the right choice in a candidate to succeed Congressman Edwards.”

GOP activist Michele Woodhouse vied with Edwards in the 2022 primary for the congressional seat and has recently expressed her disdain for him on social media. Though she told The Assembly she wouldn’t run for the seat again, she could still be an important voice. She’s well connected to the community, having served two terms as chair of the 11th Congressional District Committee until being voted out last year.

State Rep. Mark Pless of Haywood County lost his primary reelection bid this year. But he said he has no interest in the congressional seat. “That level of scrutiny and harassment is not on my bucket list,” he told The Assembly.