NC-11 GOP moves quickly to replace Edwards ahead of November election
Republicans from across western North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District will meet Monday night, Aug. 10, to choose the GOP’s NC-11 candidate for the US House.
Early Wednesday morning, Congressman Chuck Edwards, R-NC11, announced he would be dropping out of the race after a House Ethics Committee report detailed violations of House rules related to sexual harassment and creating a hostile workplace.
Under North Carolina law, when a candidate withdraws this close to the election, the political party in this case, the Republican Party, selects a replacement nominee. There is no second primary election.
North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District is made up of 16 counties: Avery, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey.
Jason Simmons, chairman of the NCGOP, described the process in a recent press release.
“The people of Western North Carolina deserve a strong conservative voice on the ballot this November, and our Party is prepared to move through this process quickly and efficiently,” said Simmons. “The District Executive Committee will fulfill its responsibility under our rules to nominate a candidate who will fight for lower taxes, secure our border, strengthen our economy, and stand up for the values of the people of the 11th District. I am confident Republicans will unite behind our nominee and continue our work to expand our majorities in Washington.”
Early voting is set to being in North Carolina on Oct. 15, with Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Andy Jackson, director of the Civitas Center for Public Integrity at the John Locke Foundation, says the timeline is short for any candidate.
“Whoever the party picks to replace Edwards will have just three months to build a district-wide campaign team, raise money, and reach out to voters,” Jackson told Carolina Journal. “That is a tall order while running against a well-funded opponent in a likely competitive district.”
CANDIDATES
State Sen. Tim Moffitt, R-Henderson, said in a social media post that he’s been encouraged by strong support from across the region and is in discussions with local leaders as he considers entering the race.
“The people of Western North Carolina are resilient,” Moffitt said. “Two years after Hurricane Helene, our communities are still rebuilding. They deserve a representative who will match their grit and determination — someone who will fight as hard in Washington as our families, retirees, farmers, and small businesses fight every day here at home.”
Moffitt also said the race is about nominating a conservative who aligns with President Trump and is prepared to win the general election.
“The 11th District needs a conservative who will stand shoulder to shoulder with President Trump, champion Western North Carolina values, and run a campaign that’s ready to win from day one — with the organization, the coalition, and the resources to hold this seat,” wrote Moffitt.
State Sen. Kevin Corbin, R-Macon, whose district lies entirely within North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, announced this week that he will not seek the Republican nomination. Corbin, now serving his third term in the Senate, said he appreciated the encouragement and support but believes he still has important work to do in the General Assembly.
“After discussing this tremendous opportunity with my wife, Beth, and our family, and spending considerable time in prayer, I believe my work in the North Carolina Senate is not yet finished,” said Corbin. “My current obligation is to the people of North Carolina’s 50th Senate District who placed their trust in me to be their voice in Raleigh. I owe it to them, and to all North Carolinians, to complete the term they elected me to serve and continue my run for re-election to the Senate.”
Adam Smith, who ran against Edwards in the March primary but lost by more than 40 points, took to social media after the news to tell supporters, “Nothing is off the table.”
“Since the news broke, my phone hasn’t stopped,” Smith said. “I’m grateful for every patriot who reached out. I’m in communication with district leadership and with the potential candidates the 11th District Executive Committee may consider when it meets Monday evening. Nothing is off the table. What this district demands is a proven conservative with a real record for our mountains, someone who stands with President Trump, and someone ready to fight from day one. That’s the standard I’ll be holding every name to, including my own.”
According to Jackson, current state senators would have a built-in advantage in a shortened campaign thanks to their existing donor base and name recognition.
“State senators would be a natural choice, since their districts overlap with a large portion of the congressional district, and they already have fundraising networks,” said Jackson. “For example, Sen. Tim Moffitt raised a quarter of a million dollars for his 2024 campaign. He could tap that network and party funds to jumpstart a campaign.”
“NC-11 GOP moves quickly to replace Edwards ahead of November election” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.
