From Staff Reports 

HENDERSONVILLE N.C. — Just a day after U.S. Vice President JD Vance appeared in Hendersonville to boost the campaign of U.S. House candidate Jennifer Balkcom, her rival Democratic congressional nominee Jamie Ager held his own campaign rally in the same city that highlighted his core platforms for the 11th Congressional District on Oct. 20 at Southern Appalachian Brewery at 822 Locust St. here.

Ager’s rally was held with just two weeks remaining until the election in the high-stakes race that, some analysts say, could play a pivotal role in deciding which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ager reportedly focused his Hendersonville address on several central campaign themes, including the following:

• Tropical Storm Helene recovery: Securing vital federal funding to help Western North Carolina communities rebuild following the devastation of the storm.

• Affordability and cost of living: Outlining measures to lower everyday costs and address the affordability crisis impacting struggling mountain families.

• Combating Washington corruption: Vowing to fight political corruption, specifically highlighting a push to ban congressional stock trading.

Ager, a multi-generation farmer from Fairview, expressed deep optimism regarding voter turnout and energy heading into the final stretch of the election cycle.