Washington — CBS News projected Jamie Ager as the victor in the Democratic primary for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. Ager, a fourth-generation farmer, will move on to face incumbent Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards in the November general election; Edwards has represented the western North Carolina seat since 2023.
The Cook Political Report still classifies the district as likely Republican, but Democrats view it as a pickup opportunity in their bid to retake the House. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently elevated Ager to a dozen ‘top-tier’ candidates who will receive extra resources and fundraising support, and she earned an endorsement from the Blue Dog Coalition’s campaign arm.
The race has attracted attention after a March 2025 town-hall video of angry constituents confronting Edwards went viral. The clip drew national commentary, including from former President Donald Trump, who sharply criticized the scene and those attending. No Democrat has represented the district since 2010, though the DCCC said NC-11 was one of five districts that swung most toward Democrats in 2024.
Western North Carolina experienced catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene in 2024, and Edwards has faced criticism from members of both parties over the pace of recovery funding. The general election matchup will be decided in November.