Ager wins NC-11, returning mountain seat to Democrats after more than a decade

Fairview farmer defeats Balkcom, puts Helene recovery funding at top of congressional agenda

Western North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District will have Democratic representation for the first time since 2013 after Fairview farmer and business owner Jamie Ager defeated Republican Jennifer Balkcom.

The Associated Press called the race for Ager on election night. He will become the district’s first Democratic representative since Heath Shuler, whose congressional service ended in January 2013.

“It’s time for the revival of the mountain Democrats because folks in these mountains have been left behind for way too long,” Ager told supporters at an Asheville election-night watch party.

Unofficial returns show Ager with 195,637 votes, or 57.14%, compared with Balkcom’s 141,427 votes, or 41.30%. Libertarian Travis Groo received 5,345 votes, or 1.56%.

Ager’s lead stood at 54,210 votes, a margin of approximately 15.8 percentage points.

The result marks a substantial shift in a district President Donald Trump carried by approximately 9.6 percentage points in 2024.

Ager campaigned on Helene recovery, household costs and accountability in Washington. Speaking to reporters after his victory, he identified additional recovery funding as his first priority.

David Beavers, an assistant professor of politics and international affairs at Wake Forest University, said Ager benefited from a campaign rooted in local concerns, particularly storm recovery, rather than national political disputes.

“I think you can probably interpret it several different ways,” Beavers told BPR. “Certainly Republican disillusionment with Trump and some of the cratering of the MAGA coalition. I think some of this is probably boosted by very strong, robust turnout by Black folks in the South.”

Ager reinforced those priorities in a victory statement released by his campaign.

“I’m going to fight for better wages, lower costs, quality healthcare, and the Helene recovery funding we still need,” he said.

Balkcom, a Republican state representative from Henderson County, emphasized her agricultural background, support for farmers, public safety and reducing costs for working families.

The voting-method breakdown shows how Ager built his advantage.

He received 146,117 in-person early votes to Balkcom’s 85,211 — a lead of 60,906 votes. He also led absentee-by-mail voting, receiving 7,523 votes to Balkcom’s 2,152.

Balkcom led among Election Day voters, receiving 54,064 votes to Ager’s 41,997. Her 12,067-vote advantage that day did not overcome Ager’s combined 66,277-vote lead in early and mailed ballots.

Candidate	Total votes	Share	Election Day	Early voting	Absentee by mail
Jamie Ager, Democrat	195,637	57.14%	41,997	146,117	7,523
Jennifer Balkcom, Republican	141,427	41.30%	54,064	85,211	2,152
Travis Groo, Libertarian	5,345	1.56%	2,778	2,456	111

NCSBE data

Early results showed Ager leading in Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Jackson, Madison, Swain and Transylvania counties. Balkcom led in McDowell, Mitchell, Polk and several other counties.

Ager’s victory also continues a family tradition in public office. His grandfather, James McClure Clarke, represented the district in Congress. His father, John Ager, served in the North Carolina House, where his brother, Eric Ager, now represents a Buncombe County district.

The district’s history includes periods of partisan competition. The seat once changed parties frequently, contrasting with its recent Republican hold.

Ager’s victory came alongside Democrat Roy Cooper’s U.S. Senate win over Republican Michael Whatley. A strong statewide candidate can help other candidates on the same ticket, political science research shows.

Election projections and victory declarations do not constitute official certification. County boards continue reviewing provisional ballots, processing eligible remaining absentee ballots and conducting audits.

County canvass meetings are scheduled for 11 a.m. Nov. 13. The State Board of Elections is scheduled to certify congressional contests at its state canvass at 11 a.m. Nov. 24.