Vance rallies Republican leaders in Hendersonville for Whatley, Balkcom

Vice President JD Vance traveled to Hendersonville on Oct. 19 to campaign for Republican US Senate candidate Michael Whatley and congressional nominee Jennifer Balkcom, bringing another high-profile Republican appearance to North Carolina just two weeks before Election Day.

Speaking at Hyder Warehouse, Vance urged voters to support both candidates while sharply criticizing their Democratic opponents, former Gov. Roy Cooper and 11th Congressional District nominee Jamie Ager, whom he portrayed as aligned with the national Democratic establishment.

The rally brought together a prominent lineup of Republican officials and candidates, including U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC; State Auditor Dave Boliek; NC House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell; and U.S. Reps. Addison McDowell, R-NC-6, and Mark Harris, R-NC-8.

Republican congressional candidate Laurie Buckhout also addressed supporters, along with Whatley and Balkcom, before the vice president took the stage.

Throughout his remarks, Vance framed the election as a choice between candidates who would prioritize North Carolina and those he argued would follow the direction of national Democratic leaders. He also defended the Trump administration’s record on immigration, taxes, energy production, and the economy.

Vance makes case for Whatley and Balkcom

Vance devoted a substantial portion of his remarks to promoting Whatley and Balkcom, portraying both as candidates who would prioritize the needs of North Carolina residents over the interests of Washington’s political establishment.

An eighth-generation resident of the region, Balkcom grew up on her family’s apple farm in Henderson County before being elected to the North Carolina House.

“This is a woman who worked three jobs, who put herself through community college and saved her family farm,” Vance said. “She’s gonna bring that same hustle, she’s gonna bring those mountain values, she’s gonna bring that work ethic to Washington, D.C.”

Vance also praised Whatley’s leadership of the North Carolina Republican Party and Republican National Committee, crediting him with helping deliver Trump’s 2024 presidential victory.

He argued that Whatley would bring that experience to the Senate and support the administration’s agenda on taxes, border security, law enforcement, and economic development.

“The reason why we’re fighting for them is because they are the rare breed that fights for the people of North Carolina first, and they’re gonna shake up that establishment and fight for you,” Vance said. “They’re going to fight for you. They’re going to fight for your families.”

Vance targets Cooper and Ager

Vance also used the rally to criticize the Democratic candidates facing Whatley and Balkcom, repeatedly accusing them of presenting themselves as moderates while supporting more liberal policies.

Much of his criticism centered on Cooper, whom he accused of moving leftward during his two terms as governor and suggested would follow the direction of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, if elected.

“Roy Cooper is going to vote exactly how his boss tells him to vote, and his boss is not the people in this room. His boss is Chuck Schumer,” Vance said.

Vance also mocked Cooper over a recent exchange between his campaign’s attorneys and the North State Journal concerning questions about the former governor’s age and health.

“But I hope what I say doesn’t bother Roy, because I heard that he’s actually a very sensitive guy,” Vance said. “He’s literally sending lawyers after anyone who asks about his age.”

“Which raises a good question: What does Roy Cooper have to hide?” Vance continued before joking that Cooper would look even older alongside younger progressive Democrats in Washington.

The North State Journal reported Oct. 13 that it received a cease-and-desist letter from the Elias Law Group after asking Cooper’s campaign whether the 69-year-old intended to complete a full six-year Senate term and whether any health conditions could prevent him from doing so.

The letter said Cooper intends to serve his entire term and called “categorically false and defamatory” any suggestion that he has a neurological issue or health condition that would prevent him from completing it.

Vance also targeted Ager, criticizing his political background and accusing him of aligning himself with progressive Democrats in Washington.

The vice president described Ager as coming from the Democratic political elite and claimed he had been “handed everything.” 

Ager’s grandfather, Jamie Clarke, previously represented NC-11 in Congress, while his father, John Ager, and brother, Eric Ager, served in the North Carolina House. 

Vance then criticized a 2019 festival at Ager’s family farm that advertised an appearance by the Beer City Sisters, a drag and advocacy group affiliated with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

“Jamie campaigns as a so-called common-sense Democrat,” Vance said. “He wants you to believe that he’s one of those old-school Democrats who actually fights for working people.”

According to an Oct. 16 Breitbart report, Hickory Nut Gap Farm hosted the Fantasy Festival at the Farm in May 2019, advertising activities for children and promoting the Beer City Sisters’ participation. 

“Now, I have to believe there’s nothing common sense about exposing little kids to drag queen performances that mock and ridicule our faith,” Vance said. “It is sick and disgusting stuff, and anybody who gets anywhere close to it never ought to represent the great people in North Carolina.”

Protester interrupts Vance’s remarks

Vance’s speech was briefly interrupted when a protester seated behind the vice president stood and began shouting for the release of government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The man repeatedly called for the release of the Epstein files and shouted, “Protect our children!” before being quickly escorted out by security. Members of the crowd booed the interruption and began chanting “USA.”

Vance responded by drawing a comparison between the protester and Democrats.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we know what the guy yelling at us behind us stood for,” Vance said. “They stand for the idea that your government exists for fraudsters or criminals or illegal aliens, when we know the American government exists for American citizens.”

He extended that criticism to political figures in Washington and Raleigh, whom he accused of advancing an agenda harmful to the country.

“That guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He’s a person who did exactly what he was told,” Vance said. “And the people who are telling them what to do and what to say, whether it’s in Washington, D.C., or Raleigh-Durham, they are props for an insidious agenda that would destroy our country from the inside.”

National attention turns to North Carolina

Vance’s visit comes as North Carolina’s Senate contest and several congressional races continue attracting national attention ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chairman, faces Cooper for the seat being vacated by Republican US Sen. Thom Tillis, who is not seeking reelection.

The September Carolina Journal Poll found Cooper leading Whatley 49.2% to 34.1%, a 15.1-point advantage among likely voters.

The race to represent North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District has also become increasingly competitive following Republican US Rep. Chuck Edwards’ decision in August not to seek reelection.

Balkcom was selected as the Republican nominee following Edwards’ withdrawal and faces Ager, a Western North Carolina farmer and businessman.

Despite the district’s Republican lean, the Cook Political Report moved NC-11 from Lean Republican to Toss Up on Sept. 25, making it one of the nation’s closely watched congressional contests.

Recent campaign finance reports also show a substantial fundraising advantage for Ager. He raised approximately $2.3 million during the third quarter, compared with $355,134 for Balkcom.

Monday’s rally marked another high-profile Republican campaign appearance in North Carolina. Vance previously campaigned with Whatley in Greensboro on Sept. 21, while Trump held a rally supporting Whatley in Gastonia on Sept. 16.

Trump returned to North Carolina on Tuesday for a campaign rally in Greenville.

Vance concluded his remarks in Hendersonville by urging Republicans to vote and elect candidates who would advance the administration’s agenda in Congress.

“Let’s send a message to the entire country, the entire state of North Carolina: send the message on November 3 that America belongs to those who love it, not to those who hate it.”

In-person early voting began Oct. 15 and continues through Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 3.

This story was first published by The Carolina Journal.