Chuck Edwards

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards ended his reelection campaign following a House Ethics Committee investigation.

The Republican Party in North Carolina's 11th District must select a replacement candidate by August 20.

Several potential candidates, including state senators and former challengers, have expressed interest in the position.

ASHEVILLE — Just hours after embattled U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards announced he would end his reelection campaign in the early morning of Aug. 5, a quick and sudden selection process for his replacement began in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District. Among those who may be seeking to replace the congressman are a state senator and two other former challengers.

By state law, the Republican 11th Congressional District executive committeeav will select who will replace Edwards on the ballot. The district office, composed of an executive committee of around 60 members, has to make its decision at least 75 days before the general election, providing a deadline of Aug. 20.

Just hours after Edwards' announcement, the North Carolina Republican Party announced the district office would meet the week of Aug. 10 to select a candidate.

Edwards' decision to drop out of the race came amid a House Ethics Committee recommendation that he be censured following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment of two female staffers. An Aug. 3 report from the committee said Edwards frequently sent two staffers unusually intimate late-night messages and paid for "flowers, a laptop and cell phone, KitchenAid mixer, robotic vacuum, vacations, tickets to performances, and one-on-one dinners."

State senators, former challengers express interest

Already, some Western North Carolina politicians and Edwards' former challengers are seemingly eyeing the ticket.

In a statement to the Citizen Times, state Sen. Tim Moffitt, the Henderson County Republican who has served two terms in the Senate and three in the House, said he'll be "talking with leaders and neighbors across the district about my potential candidacy" in the coming days.

"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," Moffitt said.

Sen. Kevin Corbin, who represents Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and Transylvania counties, similarly said that he was considering seeking the position but would not make any decision "without thoroughly discussing this first with my family." Corbin would also have to pivot from his reelection bid for his state Senate seat to join what is expected to be a tough race for Republicans. By the evening of Aug. 5, Corbin announced on Facebook that he would not pursue the position.

Adam Smith, a former Green Beret who was the sole competitor to Edwards in the 2026 primary, told the Citizen Times that he'd be interested in mounting a campaign for Congress. Smith, who setup Savage Freedoms Relief Operations in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, earned nearly 30% of the vote to Edwards 70% in March: "Technically, my hat never left the ring."

"If I'm nominated to take Edward's place, I will graciously and humbly accept the nomination and will do my best to win against Ager," Smith said. "If somebody else wins the nomination, I will throw all my weight and support behind that individual."

And Christian Reagan, a mortgage broker who challenged Edwards in 2024, told the Citizen Times that he had sent a text to Merry Guy, Chair of the 11th District Republican Party, "If needed, I will answer the call."

Guy did not immediately respond to request for comment from the Citizen Times.

Selections, fundraising and a shifting race

The selection process is already showing how fast-paced and complicated the campaign will be over the next 90 days, said Michael Bitzer, a professor of politics and history at Catawba College and director of the Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service. While Republicans are presented with a fresh start, the campaign continues to grow closer to an "ideal scenario" for Democrats.

"The big issue in my mind for the next candidate is, how fast do you get a campaign operation up and running to cover the entire district?" Bitzer said of the selection process. "And probably more importantly: How much money do you get immediately thrown behind your candidacy?"

Michelle Woodhouse, former Republican chair of the 11th Congressional District organization, said she expected Moffitt to seek the role but noted that he, too, would have to vacate his Senate seat. Woodhouse felt Edwards should've dropped out earlier.

"He knew how bad this report was and now the GOP has to push hard to get this done by 8/20," Woodhouse said in a text to the Citizen Times.

An incumbent like Moffitt seems like "an obvious choice," Western Carolina University professor of political science Chris Cooper told the Citizen Times Aug. 5.

But choosing a sitting state legislator to replace Edwards could have second- and third-order effects, Cooper said. Moffitt, if chosen, would have to give up his seat. Picking a candidate like Smith or Reagan would likely not come with the same problem, Cooper said.

Bitzer described the race as "an uphill challenge for any Republican stepping into this candidacy."

Traditionally a Republican district, political analysts have shifted the race away from Edwards and toward Ager, a farmer and the CEO of Hickory Nut Gap Farms. Ager has raised $3.05 million compared to Edwards' $939,985, according to June 30 U.S. Federal Election Commission filings.

"At this point, the harder climb I would say in this mountain district is going to be on the Republican side," Bitzer said.

Helene Recovery Reporter Cory Vaillancourt contributed to this story.

Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at [email protected] or message will_hofmann.01 on Signal.