District: NC-11
Cook Political Ranking: Lean R
Performance Voter Index: R+5
Jamie Ager is a farmer and business owner running for Congress to try to flip North Carolina’s 11th congressional district blue. He is a fourth-generation farmer who is working the same land as his family who moved to North Carolina in 1916. Ager’s family farm is the Hickory Nut Gap Farm and their mission is to build community through agriculture. Ager’s community rapidly changed after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in 2024. This devastation and lack of governmental leadership during this time, has motivated Ager to seek election to office. Ager is running for the U.S. House because he believes “western North Carolina deserves steady, practical leadership from someone who understands our region, listens to people, and is focused on solving problems instead of playing political games.”

North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District is based in the western part of the state, and includes the cities of Asheville and Hendersonville. During redistricting in 2022, this district barely changed. In 2020, President Trump won this district by 12 points and in 2024, he won this district by 10 points. Although Trump carried this district in 2024, Democratic Governor Josh Stein won this district in the same cycle. This district is currently held by GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards. The House Ethics Committee recently reported that they found “substantial reason to believe” Rep. Edwards violated House rules on sexual harassment and hostile workplaces. In the aftermath of these allegations, Rep. Edwards has suspended his reelection campaign. Republicans in the state party picked state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom to replace him on the ballot. In 2024, the race for NC-11 saw very little in outside spending, with Democratic candidate Caleb Rudow raising $644,000 and Rep. Edwards raising $1.2 million. In 2026, Ager is running in this now open race, and the DCCC has included him in its Red to Blue program. V4P PAC has not yet endorsed in this race.