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· collected 2026-08-18 · by Alex Nitzberg
North Carolina state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom has been endorsed by President Donald Trump for the state's 11th Congressional District seat after incumbent Rep. Chuck Edwards dropped out of the re-election bid. The endorsement comes despite Edwards having won the Republican primary with Trump's backing in March, but he announced his withdrawal on August 5 following an ethics report that recommended censure due to allegations of unprofessional conduct towards two female staffers. Balkcom will face no opposition as she is the only Republican nominee for the seat. Trump endorsed Balkcom on Monday via Truth Social.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
President Donald Trump has endorsed Jennifer Balkcom, a North Carolina state representative, to replace Chuck Edwards, who dropped out of his re-election bid for the state's 11th Congressional District. This comes after Trump had initially backed Edwards, who won the Republican primary in March. Balkcom will now run for the seat in the general election. Trump expressed his support for Balkcom on X (formerly Twitter), praising her as an "America First Patriot". Balkcom thanked the president and outlined her goals if elected, including working to rebuild Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene and making life more affordable for families. Edwards announced he was dropping out of the race on August 5.
Written for “Trump Endorses New Nominee” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
No quote from the article could be verified for this score. The
model gave a number without evidence that survives checking, so
there is nothing here for you to read against the original.
Leaning score +0.35 for article 902 (low confidence, 0 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-26
President Donald Trump has endorsed North Carolina state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, the new Republican nominee for the state's 11th Congressional District.
asserted
Trump → endorse → District
Balkcom was tapped to run this month after Trump-backed incumbent Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., dropped his re-election bid.
asserted
Edwards → tap → bid
"It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Jennifer Balkcom, who is running to represent the wonderful people of North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District!" Trump declared in part of a Monday Truth Social post.
Balkcom thanked the president in a post on X.
"THANK YOU, President Trump!
asserted
Balkcom → endorse → YOU
I’m incredibly grateful for your support, and I’m proud to stand and fight for the people of Western North Carolina.
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I → ’m → Carolina
In Congress, I’ll work with you to continue rebuilding WNC after Helene, deliver real results for our communities, and fight to make life more affordable for hardworking families.
asserted
life → work → families
I’m ready to get to work," she wrote, adding an American flag emoji.
asserted
she → ’m → emoji
Trump had endorsed Edwards for re-election before the lawmaker decisively won the March 3 Republican primary in the state's 11th Congressional District, but the congressman announced on Aug. 5 that he was ending his re-election run.
asserted
he → endorse → run
Edwards made the announcement in the wake of the House Committee on Ethics releasing a report about him recommending censure.
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Committee → make → censure
The report states that the committee found that the congressman "engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers."
asserted
congressman → state → staffers
"While Representative Edwards denied that any of his conduct was intended as a sexual or romantic advance, his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such, including providing the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, sending notes regarding his effusive affection, and inviting them to other activities as a way to spend time together," the report stated.
asserted
report → deny → time
