From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The race for the North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District seat is set after voters selected U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards R-Flat Rock, to square off with Democratic challenger Jamie Ager in March 3rd’s primary election, Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on March 4.

They now will face off in the general election on Nov. 3.

Edwards defeated challenger Adam Smith to secure his party’s nomination, while Ager won in a five-candidate primary field to become the Democratic nominee.

Edwards, who is seeking his third term in Congress, owns and operates seven McDonald’s franchises — in Hendersonville, Brevard and Canton. In a rags-to-riches trajectory, Edwards has been involved with McDonald’s since working there at age 16. He is a Waynesville native, but graduated from West Henderson High School and built his business career in Hendersonville — and lives in Flat Rock

Ager, a fourth-generation farmer, and Fairview native, is CEO and co-founder of Hickory Nut Gap Farm, which is billed as “a leading regenerative meat brand and farm in Fairview.”

News 13 noted that it “spoke with both candidates March 3 night about their reaction to the results and their strategy moving forward.”

Edwards told the TV station, ““It’s a win. It’s a huge win. I’m so grateful for the people in Western North Carolina for recognizing the job that me and my team have been doing my first two terms in Congress, and what an honor it is that the people in Western North Carolina are rewarding me as being the Republican nominee to go on to the general election.”

Meanwhile, Ager told News 13, “I’m honored and grateful for the people of Western North Carolina to entrust me to lead this party and be a leader for Western North Carolina and try to help the people.”

News 13’s “Comment Bubble” appearing after its story included the following assertions:

• SweetPotatoHitler — “One feeds us healthy products, the other poisons you. Pretty much all you need to know about the ethics of each of these men.”

• Snapshot — “One is a Trump shill, the other is a normal human being.”

• AvlNC — “A normal human from a family (Ager) dynasty of millionaires and politicians. Just more of the same thing we have.”

• NCIDdoesntmakeyoulocal — “Feeds us healthy products to the tune of $18 per pound of ground beef. A man of the people for sure.” 

• WBF09 — “Add up the price of the processed meat that the current one sells everybody now! Even if it’s less, I would pay more for fresh, healthy meat!”

• NCIDdoesntmakeyoulocal — “Not disagreeing a bit with nutritional values here. Simply pointing out the man people are trying to turn into some kind of modern day Robin Hood is actually exploiting the same capitalism the left side of the aisle abhors.” 

• lucky.lucy — “At least he isn’t on the Trump Train!”

• TheOracle — “Time to spend big money on the campaigns.”

• Taylor.in.Haywood.County — “I think that Western N.C. has been truly blessed to have such a professional statesman as Congressman Edwards.”