HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, R-Naples — the newly chosen GOP nominee in the race for the 11th District seat held by U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-Flat Rock — outlined her goals and aspirations if she achieves her quest for victory in a keynote address to the Henderson County Republican Men’s Club at American Legion Post 77 here on Sept. 12.

Also speaking was Chelsea Walsh, who even more recently was chosen as the Republican nominee for Balkcom’s seat in the state House. (A separate story on Walsh’s speech to the HCRMC appears on Page B4 of the Hendersonville Daily Planet. The seat Walsh is seeking serves only Henderson County.)

Each speaker was given about 12 minutes to speak and field questions from the audience.

About 45 people attended the monthy breakfast meeting that, besides Balkcom, drew two elected officials: District Court Judge Abe Hudson, who is seeking re-election; and Jay Egolf, a member of the Henderson County Board of Commissioners. 

In other action, club Treasurer Ed Carlyle noted in his monthly reported that the club now has 37 full-time (male) members and 18 associate (female) members for a total membership of 55.

Prior to the speeches by Balkcom and Walsh, HCRMC President Bill Fishburne praised the efforts of 11th District Chairwoman Merry Guy, noting, “Can you imagine what a great job” she accomplished “in finding” — quickly—  two top-quality candidates like Balkcom and Walsh to run for the two seats shortly before the looming Nov. 3 election?

Balkcom began her address by making a reference to the Aug. 17 endorsement of her candidacy by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, telling the club, “Once I talked with some people in D.C. — and at the White House, I said, ‘If you have faith in me, I have faith... Let’s do it!’”

She added, “My district size with 16 counties is the size of Delaware. So it’s a lot of travel time... There are a number of people who are thrilled that I’m running.

“A lot of you know me. I’m an eighth-generation farm girl.” Balkcom noted that she was born in Henderson County and educated at East Henderson High School and Blue Ridge Community College. She has been a lifelong resident of the county. 

“I’ve been in banking in finance in my career... My husband and I have two construction companies, so we’re a small business.”

She added, “All of my bills (introduced in the state House) have passed except for two.. You’ve got to have these relationships to work with to get these bills to pass... To me, it didn’t matter whether my name ultimately was on the passed bills...

“A lot of my legislation has been socially driven — as a mom. A lot of my legislation has been criminal-based” to keep lawbreakers in jail.

“I think the biggest thing in Washington is (Tropical Storm) Helene recovery,” Balkcom said. “Whether that be for reimbursement, building roads back... That’s something that’s very tedious that needs to be done to get our roads back... A lot of agencies did not use the money (in areas or categories) where we gave them” to spend, Balkcom said.

She praised U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, R-Gastonia, for being “great help to me” in her race for Edwards’ congressional seat.

Further, Balkcom said, “I think affordability is something” important to the voters, adding that “farmland preservation is part of my passion. I love where I came from (a small farm).” As she grew up, she noted that “I watched my Mom fight every day to keep the land that was part of her inheritance....

“I think the biggest thing is taking the regulation off our small businesses. And make sure that we can produce those things here, rather than pay them” overseas to produce needed products and services.

“I know a lot of that is common sense. I know there’s not a lot of that in Washington. I hope to bring common sense to Washington.

“I know the biggest thing is — and Chelsea mentioned this — we’ve got to get out the vote. So please tell everyone — your family, your neighbors — to vote... We can’t lose this election. Otherwise, everything we’ve done will be reversed. So please... get out the vote,” Balkcom asserted, in concluding her address.

During questioning and discussion afterward, HCRMC member James Bruggeman  asked about “the damage from Helene? Have you actually seen it?”

Balkcom replied that, locally, “Henderson County and Buncombe County — and parts of Polk County and Rutherford County — were devasted.”

An unidentified man asked about the damaged wreaked by Helene on the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry headquarters in Asheville that resulted in its closing. 

Balkcom replied, “It was washed away. My thought is they (the ABCCM in Asheville) help all veterans — not just those in Buncombe County,” so she supported its rebuild.

(The flood-damaged ABCCMVeterans Restoration Quarters on Tunnel Road (in Asheville) is being rebuilt and expanded into a comprehensive $22 million multi-phase campus.

(The project adds emergency beds, workforce training, and a dedicated resource center alongside permanent affordable housing across the street at the newly established Veterans Village.) 

Club Treasurer Ed Carlyle then asked, “Where would you stand on Iran?”

Smiling, Balkcom answered, “My Mom always said. ‘We never start a fight, but we always finish it.’ We (the U.S. military) are in Iran — and I think we need to finish it.”

Balkcom added that she “got Trump’s endorsement — and the entire leadership of Congress’ endorsement... I work very hard and I have a very good legislative record for them to look at.”

When someone asked Balkcom for a status report on publicizing her campaign, she noted that she recently “had to order 7,000 signs. The turnaround time (for that large number) is longer… They (the new signs) should be out (delivered by the manufacturer) on Sept. 17.”

Balkcom also said that her “campaign kickoff” will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Les Boyd Chevrolet at 1875 Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville — and that everyone is invited to attend.

The state’s 11th congressional district encompasses most of Western North Carolina.

Balkcom is squaring off with Democrat Jamie Ager, a Fairview farmer, for the seat.