North Carolina Republicans chose state Representative Jennifer Balkcom on Tuesday to replace Representative Chuck Edwards on the November ballot, less than 90 days before Election Day.
Edwards abandoned his reelection bid last week after the House Ethics Committee recommended censure. The committee concluded there is "substantial reason to believe" he violated House rules related to sexual harassment and hostile workplaces. The report found that Edwards had engaged in "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers" and that he "violated the House Code of Official Conduct by failing to adhere to the spirit of rules prohibiting sexual harassment of and unwanted advances to House staffers."
Edwards denied wrongdoing. A statement on behalf of his campaign said the findings "completely exonerate Representative Edwards under the House rules governing sexual misconduct or harassment." The statement said the committee "concluded that he neither engaged in sexual activity with nor explicitly propositioned any individual staff member" and that "the allegations in this matter do not implicate quid pro quo sexual harassment." The statement added that Edwards "looks forward to having his name cleared."
Balkcom won a competitive three-way primary in 2022 for her state house seat and is a lifelong resident of the district, according to the North Carolina GOP. She will face Democrat Jamie Ager in November. Ager won the Democratic primary in March. The district, which covers rural western North Carolina, has not elected a Democrat since 2010, though the party believes the race could be competitive this cycle.
The Edwards situation is one of several ethics cases involving House members. Former Representatives Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales both resigned after being accused of sexual misconduct. The House Ethics Committee announced last week that it would investigate Representative Max Miller of Ohio, who faces accusations of domestic abuse and possible drug use. Miller has denied the domestic abuse allegations and said he had a prescription for the drugs in question.
According to the Washington Post, national Democrats have stepped up support for Miller's opponent, and the Cook Political Report has moved Miller's district from likely Republican to toss-up. The deadline for Republicans to replace Miller on the Ohio ballot has passed, and Miller has said he is staying in the race.
Balkcom's name will now appear on the November ballot for North Carolina's 11th Congressional District.
