Despite Helene failures, Republicans stick with Edwards in NC-11
Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) has been unable to secure anywhere near the $60 billion in hurricane recovery funding the state needs.
Cory Vaillancourt photo
Incumbent Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards will go on to face Democratic nominee Jamie Ager in a high-profile contest later this year, after defeating his Primary Election opponent Adam Smith.
Under Edwards, less than 15% of the $60 billion needed for full recovery has been delivered in the 17 months since Hurricane Helene, despite Edwards’ position on the House appropriations committee.
Republicans have also complained of an enthusiasm gap with Edwards, which has been apparent since his first reelection campaign in 2024, but it wasn’t enough to propel former Green Beret Adam Smith, of Black Mountain, to victory.
Smith did garner 30% of the vote, which compares favorably to Edwards’ 2024 Primary Opponent, Cherokee County Republican Christian Reagan. Reagan, who didn’t have much of a public profile before taking up a Primary challenge to Edwards that year, pulled an astonishing 31% of the Primary vote against the incumbent Edwards despite being badly outraised.
Check back with The Smoky Mountain News for full results and detailed analysis across Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties in our March 11 issue.
