Democrat Jamie Ager Wins in Closely-Watched Western N.C. House Race

North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, which covers the state’s 16 westernmost counties, has been a reliable Republican stronghold since 2010. 

But tonight, the district flipped blue with the election of Jamie Ager, a farmer and businessman from Buncombe County. Ager bested state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom of Henderson County, who replaced incumbent Chuck Edwards on the Republican ticket in August following a U.S. House Ethics Committee investigation.   

Ager’s supporters gathered in the auditorium of A-B Tech Community College in Asheville for a watch party that leaned into the folksiness. Bluegrass bands performed on a stage flanked by hay bales.

“When I first got into this, I was a little frustrated with politics,” Ager said in his victory remarks. But he believed running for Congress was “the patriotic thing” to do.

“Instead of trying to move the mountains in Western N.C., we decided to go right into them,” Ager told the crowd. “We started a movement here in Western North Carolina and that movement is called the Mountain Democrats.”

Even before the race was called, the energy in the room was building. 

“I think we’re going to see a complete sea change in North Carolina,” said the candidate’s brother, state Rep. Eric Ager. 

“I think we deserve Jamie Ager and I’m excited for us,” said state Rep. Lindsey Prather, a Democrat from Buncombe. “Personally, I’m excited about having a congressman that I know for a fact cares.”   

Several voters The Assembly spoke to throughout the day said they liked Ager’s experience in agriculture and his support for conservation; they also knew and liked his business, Hickory Nut Gap Farms. 

“He’s a hometown hero as far as I’m concerned,” said Michelle Myers, who was casting her vote at Hall Fletcher Elementary School in West Asheville. Hickory Nut Gap was damaged during Hurricane Helene, and she believes Ager’s firsthand experience navigating the recovery process would help speed up repairs to damaged infrastructure in the area. “I think a lot of federal politicians in particular have been giving a lot of lip service to Hurricane Helene and money being teased,” Myers said, “but not necessarily delivered.” 

Other voters seemed less motivated by specific policies than a desire to  vote out the GOP. “No brainer—I voted for Ager,” said Paul Rice, who cast his ballot at the West Asheville Library. “He’s a sensible Democrat instead of an unsensible Republican.” 

Out in Jackson County, Susan Barscheski said she supported Ager because “he’s not a Republican.”

“My work is already being affected by the cuts to Medicaid,” said the Sylva voter. “I work with special needs kids and I don’t think Republicans can be trusted.”  

Henderson County voter Karen Mathiesen said she was backing Balkcom because of her experience in the General Assembly and her support for President Donald Trump. “I want to support the government we have in office,” Mathiesen said outside Hendersonville High School on Tuesday. “I don’t care for Mr. Trump’s style, but I so appreciate what he is doing. If we can keep that momentum, I think he’s surrounded by some amazing people that are doing great work that needs to be done.”

“Under Biden, everything went to hell,” she added. 

Not every Republican was as enthusiastic. Judith Lewis of Jackson County, who described herself as a “Black Republican,” said “I refuse” to vote for Balkcom. “I looked at her health care record and she is in the pharmaceuticals’ hands.” She declined to state whether she had voted for Ager instead. 

About half of the voters The Assembly spoke to in NC-11 said they hadn’t seen any political ads from either candidate. But among those who did, Balkcom’s ads—particularly one featuring Ager dancing with A.I.-generated drag queens—did the Republican candidate a disservice. 

 “If someone is willing to use A.I., they’re not supporting workers and artists,” said Barscheski. 

Ager ended his Tuesday remarks with a rallying call for the region. “It’s time to do big, bold things because we’re Americans,” he said. “It’s time to get Hurricane Helene funding into Western North Carolina. Folks in these mountains have been left behind for way too long.”