Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...A committee of Western North Carolina Republicans on Monday night tapped state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom to replace U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards on the ballot in the 11th District. Five other Republicans made bids to replace Edwards, including three of his former primary opponents: Matthew Burril and Kristie Sluder from 2022 and Christian Reagan from 2024. When Moffitt left the state House to run for Senate in 2022, Balkcom vied for his seat. She has sponsored 30 bills that have become law, including seven for which she was the primary author. Under state law, an executive committee of Henderson County Republicans who reside in the district will select a replacement.