Jamie Ager Wins Democratic Nomination for US Congress
March 3, 2026
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Hendersonville, NC — Jamie Ager’s campaign has claimed victory in the Democratic nominating contest for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District this evening.
“This is a campaign for everyone, Democrat, Republican, or Independent,” said Jamie Ager. “Together, we’re going to bring home the billions of dollars of Helene recovery funding that Chuck Edwards won’t, we’re going to build an economy that supports our working families, and we’re going to fix the broken, corrupt system in Washington so that politicians will go to DC to serve the people, not to get rich.”
“Since Jamie launched last summer, our team has heard one thing loud and clear from our neighbors: people are tired of Chuck Edwards’ lack of leadership,” said Grayson Barnette, Ager’s campaign manager. “They’re tired of his divisiveness and partisan extremism. They’re tired of seeing him defend his lobbyist friends while our communities are struggling. It’s time for change, and that is exactly what Jamie is going to be.”
Ager’s victory comes following multiple quarters of fundraising dominance against Edwards. Additionally, recent polling data showed Ager will enter the general election with a one-point lead against Chuck Edwards in addition to his significant fundraising advantage.
About Jamie Ager
Jamie Ager is a fourth-generation farmer, entrepreneur, and proud son of Western North Carolina. Born in Fairview and raised on his family’s Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Jamie has spent his life growing food, building community, and working with people. From a young age, Jamie was taught the values of public service, hard work, and neighborliness.
Jamie graduated from A.C. Reynolds High School and earned degrees from Warren Wilson College in Environmental Studies with a concentration in sustainable agriculture and History. There, he met Amy, his wife and partner in life and business. Together, they returned to Fairview to start a family and built Hickory Nut Gap, a sustainable meat company that today supports 25 employees and works with dozens of farmers across the region.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Jamie and his community were tested in ways they’d never imagined. Jamie was proud to see how people organized, shared what little they had, and rebuilt together. That experience reaffirmed his belief in the generosity of our community and highlighted how the government often lags behind in times of crisis. It deepened his resolve to push for smarter, faster, and more responsive systems that actually meet people’s needs.
As the proud father of three sons, Jamie cares deeply about our future. He’s concerned about big challenges like recovering from Hurricane Helene, affordability for working families, and preserving our environment and culture. He’s also outspoken about the need to support local businesses and putting Western North Carolina first. He’s never been afraid to stand up for what’s right, even if it means speaking out against his own party or taking on extremists.
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