Jamie is from Fairview, North Carolina. He attended A. C. Reynolds High School and Warren Wilson College. He has a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies with a concentration in sustainable agriculture and a bachelor’s degree in history from Warren Wilson College. He lives with his wife and their three sons on his family’s Hickory Nut Gap Farm.

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Jamie Ager is originally from Fairview, North Carolina. He earned degrees in environmental studies and history from Warren Wilson College and later completed the Leadership Development Program at North Carolina State University. Ager lives with his wife, Amy, and their three children in Fairview.

Welcome to Hickory Nut Gap - About Page

Davis exit marks another shift in NC-11 Dem race

Jamie currently works as the CEO and Co-Founder of Hickory Nut Gap, a regenerative agriculture and sustainable meat company in Western North Carolina.

Jamie Ager, Hickory Nut Gap CEO and co-founder, running for ...

Jamie Ager: North Carolina farmer enters race for Congress in ...

Jamie's campaign for U.S. House in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District is his first run for public office.

Supports expanding grants and the child tax credit for young families.

Supports expanding rural broadband and cell coverage to help small farms and shops reach customers worldwide.

Supports investments and programs to boost economic development, manufacturing, and modern jobs.

Supports reducing bureaucratic hurdles and increasing loans and grants for small businesses.

Supports programs for first-time home buyers and public service employees, including teachers, firefighters, and first responders.

Supports tax code reform to ensure higher earners pay more and advocates eliminating taxes on tips.

Plans to make government institutions more "customer focused, nimble, and an efficient use of taxpayer dollars."

- Supports expanding grants and the child tax credit for young families.
- Supports expanding rural broadband and cell coverage to help small farms and shops reach customers worldwide.
- Supports investments and programs to boost economic development, manufacturing, and modern jobs.
- Supports reducing bureaucratic hurdles and increasing loans and grants for small businesses.
- Supports programs for first-time home buyers and public service employees, including teachers, firefighters, and first responders.
- Supports tax code reform to ensure higher earners pay more and advocates eliminating taxes on tips.
- Plans to make government institutions more "customer focused, nimble, and an efficient use of taxpayer dollars."

Economy

Supports increased federal funding to enhance firefighter pay and rural fire stations, ensuring first responders are adequately equipped to handle crises like Hurricane Helene.

Believes in improving pay and training for law enforcement and addressing the root causes of crime.

- Supports increased federal funding to enhance firefighter pay and rural fire stations, ensuring first responders are adequately equipped to handle crises like Hurricane Helene.
- Believes in improving pay and training for law enforcement and addressing the root causes of crime.

Public Safety

Supports Medicare negotiating drug prices and capping costs for insulin and other essentials.

Supports improving mental health support by expanding education programs, allowing earlier intervention, and enhancing inpatient and outpatient services.

Supports lowering prescription drug prices.

Supports "robust" Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

Supports Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

- Supports Medicare negotiating drug prices and capping costs for insulin and other essentials.
- Supports a public healthcare option.
- Supports improving mental health support by expanding education programs, allowing earlier intervention, and enhancing inpatient and outpatient services.
- Supports lowering prescription drug prices.
- Supports Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

Healthcare

Supports teaching personal finance in schools.

- Supports teaching personal finance in schools.

Education

Supports protecting public lands and environmental stewardship.

Advocates regenerative farming and farmland preservation.

- Supports protecting public lands and environmental stewardship.
- Advocates regenerative farming and farmland preservation.
- Opposes cuts to national park funding.

Energy & the Environment

Supports continued aid to Ukraine and a strong NATO alliance.

Supports veterans’ services and opposes cuts to the Veterans Administration Office.

Supports comprehensive immigration reform with fairness and dignity.

- Supports continued aid to Ukraine and a strong NATO alliance.
- Supports veterans’ services and opposes cuts to the Veterans Administration Office.
- Supports comprehensive immigration reform with fairness and dignity.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Supports campaign finance reforms to reduce "dark money" and the influence of special interests in Washington.

Supports reducing corporate influence in politics and banning congressional stock trading.

- Supports reducing corporate influence in politics and banning congressional stock trading.

Voting & Elections

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Jamie Ager

- Supports expanding grants and the child tax credit for young families.
- Supports expanding rural broadband and cell coverage to help small farms and shops reach customers worldwide.
- Supports investments and programs to boost economic development, manufacturing, and modern jobs.
- Supports reducing bureaucratic hurdles and increasing loans and grants for small businesses.
- Supports programs for first-time home buyers and public service employees, including teachers, firefighters, and first responders.
- Supports tax code reform to ensure higher earners pay more and advocates eliminating taxes on tips.
- Supports banning Congress members from stock trading.
- Plans to make government institutions more "customer focused, nimble, and an efficient use of taxpayer dollars."

- Supports continued aid to Ukraine and a strong NATO alliance.
- Supports veterans’ services and opposes cuts to the VA.
- Supports comprehensive immigration reform with fairness and dignity.

Zachary Mangels

Buket Urgen

Supports tax credits to help families reduce energy costs.

Believes law enforcement and first responders are essential, saying they "deserve to be well trained, well compensated, and have the equipment they need."

Believes law enforcement and first responders should be well trained, compensated, and equipped, and supports hiring more to ensure safety.

Supports increased federal funding to enhance firefighter pay and improve rural fire stations.

Supports better pay and training for law enforcement officers.

Supports "robust" Medicaid and Medicare, including home care, community-based services, and dental and vision coverage for Medicare patients.

Supports expanding rural broadband and cell coverage.

Supports banning Congress members from stock trading.

Lee Whipple earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech University. Lee lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Lee currently works as a project engineer for Advanced Civil Engineering. He previously worked as a project engineer for Garner Engineering, a professional engineer for Brooks Engineering Associates and Wade Trim, and a civil engineer for various companies.

Lee Whipple's campaign for North Carolina U.S. representative, District 11, is his first time running for public office.

Lee Whipple - Ballotpedia

Lee's campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent North Carolina District 11 is his first run for public office.

Who filed to run in Henderson County's 2026 primary elections?

3 in WNC’s crowded 11th US House District race say Helene recovery is top priority

Advocates for a minimum wage calculated by a ratio of the state's electoral college votes to total electoral college votes to deal with inflation.

Supports favoring small independent farms by cutting regulations and providing incentives for organic farming.

Wants to make credit and insurance cheaper and more accessible for farms.

- Advocates for a minimum wage calculated by a ratio of the state's electoral college votes to total electoral college votes to deal with inflation.
- Supports favoring small independent farms by cutting regulations and providing incentives for organic farming.
- Wants to make credit and insurance cheaper and more accessible for farms.

As of January 2, 2026, Lee Whipple’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Here's the final candidate list for 2026 elections - Hendersonville ...

Supports a single-payer healthcare system, with a slow phase-in to prevent abrupt job losses transitioning from the current system.

Supports using mobile clinics as a temporary solution to healthcare issues.

- Supports a single-payer healthcare system, with a slow phase-in to prevent abrupt job losses transitioning from the current system.
- Supports using mobile clinics as a temporary solution to healthcare issues.

Wants to hold the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Trump administration accountable for failing to adequately respond to Hurricane Helene.

- Wants to hold the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Trump administration accountable for failing to adequately respond to Hurricane Helene.

Lee Whipple

- Advocates for a minimum wage calculated by a state's electoral college votes.
- Supports favoring small independent farms by cutting regulations and providing incentives for organic farming.
- Wants to make credit and insurance cheaper and more accessible for farms.

Paul Maddox is from Yancey County. He has a bachelor's degree and doctorate in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Paul lives with his wife, and has two children.

Paul is a tenured professor. He works at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he has taught and conducted cancer research in the Department of Biology for 12 years. He previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in San Diego, as a sandwich artist at Subway, as a clerk at a local toy store, and he founded two small businesses focused on advancing cancer research.

Paul currently works as a professor of biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and as the president of Mizar Imaging, a science equipment manufacturer. He previously worked as a professor and investigator at the University of Montreal Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, and as a post-doctoral fellow at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.

Paul Maddox - Ballotpedia

Paul's campaign for U.S. representative for North Carolina's 11th District is his first run for public office.

Cancer researcher Paul Maddox targets NC-11's ills

Criticizes opponents for not protecting Social Security benefits for long-term workers.

Supports protecting Social Security benefits for long-term workers.

Supports a tax increase on the top 0.1% of income earners.

Supports allocating additional disaster relief funding after Hurricane Helene.

- Supports protecting Social Security benefits for long-term workers.
- Supports a tax increase on the top 0.1% of income earners.
- Supports allocating additional disaster relief funding after Hurricane Helene.

Supports the Second Amendment but opposes unrestricted access to assault-style rifles.

Supports protections for the LGBTQ community against threats and harassment.

Supports protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community against threats and harassment.

- Supports the Second Amendment but opposes unrestricted access to assault-style rifles.
- Supports protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community against threats and harassment.

Supports personal choice in reproductive health decisions, emphasizing consultation with spiritual guides and physicians.

Supports prioritizing support for rural clinics and opposes cuts to Medicare.

- Supports personal choice in reproductive health decisions, emphasizing consultation with spiritual guides and physicians.
- Supports prioritizing support for rural clinics and opposes cuts to Medicare.

As of January 2, 2026, Paul Maddox’s website did not contain information on this issue.

For Candidate Paul Maddox on Issue energy-and-environment: Believes that environmental protection and economic diversification are essential for safeguarding the health of communities and the future of Western North Carolina.

Believes that environmental protection and economic diversification are essential for safeguarding the health of communities and the future of Western North Carolina.

Supports legislation to strengthen protection of the National Park Service and National Forests to ensure future generations can enjoy Western North Carolina's natural wonders.

- Believes that environmental protection and economic diversification are essential for safeguarding the health of communities and the future of Western North Carolina.
- Supports legislation to strengthen protection of the National Park Service and National Forests to ensure future generations can enjoy Western North Carolina's natural wonders.

Paul Maddox

Richard Hudspeth has a bachelor's degree from Duke University and a medical degree from the University of North Carolina. He lives with his wife in Asheville and has two children.

Richard is a physician. He works at a community health center in Western North Carolina. He previously practiced medicine in rural clinics across the region.

In NC-11 congressional race, Ager leads all candidates in fundraising

Richard previously worked as the chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Health and as a physician.

Richard Hudspeth's campaign for North Carolina US Representative, District 11 is his first entry into politics.

Richard Hudspeth - Ballotpedia

Richard's campaign for U.S. representative for North Carolina's 11th District is his first run for public office.

Campaign Website

Supports tackling the rising costs of housing, child care, and groceries to help families thrive.

Supports tackling the rising costs of housing, child care, and groceries.

Supports federal government involvement in addressing housing affordability through creative financing and public-private partnerships to create permanently affordable housing.

Supports federal government involvement in addressing housing affordability through creative financing and public-private partnerships.

Supports tackling income inequality by reforming tax policy so the wealthy and corporations "pay their fair share."

Supports creating a tax credit for families that grow food at their home.

Plans to "[s]upport fair wages and strengthen unions."

Supports increasing "access to affordable childcare."

Plans to secure recovery investments to rebuild strategically and invest in resilience after Hurricane Helene.

Supports balancing the federal government's budget with solutions that are not at the expense of working families.

- Supports tackling the rising costs of housing, child care, and groceries.
- Supports federal government involvement in addressing housing affordability through creative financing and public-private partnerships.
- Supports tackling income inequality by reforming tax policy so the wealthy and corporations "pay their fair share."
- Supports creating a tax credit for families that grow food at their home.
- Plans to "[s]upport fair wages and strengthen unions."
- Supports increasing "access to affordable childcare."
- Plans to secure recovery investments to rebuild strategically and invest in resilience after Hurricane Helene.
- Supports balancing the federal government's budget with solutions that are not at the expense of working families.

For Candidate Richard Hudspeth on Issue public-safety:  
Stresses the importance of respecting tribal self-determination while addressing concerns about addiction and the need for a comprehensive health system.

Stresses the importance of respecting tribal self-determination while addressing concerns about addiction and the need for a comprehensive health system.

- Stresses the importance of respecting tribal self-determination while addressing concerns about addiction and the need for a comprehensive health system.

Supports affordable healthcare for all by strengthening Medicare and Medicaid and ensuring access to care for families and seniors.

Opposes healthcare cuts and criticizes tax cuts that favor the wealthy, emphasizing the impact on working families.

Opposes healthcare cuts and criticizes tax cuts that favor the wealthy.

Opposes the bill that could harm rural healthcare in North Carolina and aims to protect Medicaid and Medicare.

Opposes the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, saying it would harm rural healthcare in North Carolina and aims to protect Medicaid and Medicare.

Supports increasing healthcare spending on primary care.

Supports creating a national public option for health insurance.

- Supports affordable healthcare for all by strengthening Medicare and Medicaid and ensuring access to care for families and seniors.
- Opposes healthcare cuts and criticizes tax cuts that favor the wealthy.
- Opposes the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, saying it would harm rural healthcare in North Carolina and aims to protect Medicaid and Medicare.
- Supports increasing healthcare spending on primary care.
- Supports creating a national public option for health insurance.

For Candidate Richard Hudspeth on Issue education:  
Believes education is central to his campaign and that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, criticizing the federal government's failure to provide adequate support for teachers and resources.

Believes education is central to his campaign and that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, criticizing the federal government's failure to provide adequate support for teachers and resources.

- Believes education is central to his campaign and that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, criticizing the federal government's failure to provide adequate support for teachers and resources.

As of January 2, 2026, Richard Hudspeth’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs' healthcare, mental health, and addiction services for rural veterans.

- Wants to strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs' healthcare, mental health, and addiction services for rural veterans.

Supports restoring congressional authority in voting and elections.

Said "Congress must reclaim its constitutional role instead of ceding power to the executive branch and special interests."

Plans to "[d]efend equal protection under law, guarantee due process, support judicial independence, and ensure the right to representation."

- Said "Congress must reclaim its constitutional role instead of ceding power to the executive branch and special interests."
- Plans to "[d]efend equal protection under law, guarantee due process, support judicial independence, and ensure the right to representation."

Richard Hudspeth

- Supports tackling the rising costs of housing, child care, and groceries.
- Supports federal government involvement in addressing housing affordability through creative financing and public-private partnerships.
- Supports tackling income inequality.
- Supports creating a tax credit for families that grow food at their home.
- Plans to "[s]upport fair wages and strengthen unions."
- Supports increasing "access to affordable childcare."
- Plans to secure recovery investments to rebuild strategically and invest in resilience after Hurricane Helene.
- Supports balancing the federal government's budget with solutions that are not at the expense of working families.

For Candidate Richard Hudspeth on Issue healthcare: Has not yet formulated a strong position on the rescheduling of cannabis at the federal level.

Zelda Briarwood - Ballotpedia

Sensing opportunity, Dems lining up to run against Edwards

Zelda Briarwood has a bachelor's degree in psychology and outdoor recreation from the University of South Carolina. She is married.

Zelda works as a mental health professional.

Zelda Briarwood's campaign for North Carolina US Representative, District 11, is her first time running for public office.

Zelda's campaign for the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina's 11th District is her first run for public office.

Supports providing tax incentives and grants for small businesses that hire locally and offer competitive wages.

Wants to invest in research that creates new job opportunities.

Plans to invest in research that creates new job opportunities.

For Candidate Zelda Briarwood on Issue economy:  
Supports holding companies accountable for price gouging.

Supports "holding companies accountable for price gouging."

For Candidate Zelda Briarwood on Issue economy: Supports expanding USDA programs to prioritize farmers, provide resources for competitive pricing, and assist them in adapting to challenges.

Believes expanding U.S. Department of Agriculture programs to prioritize farmers, provide resources for competitive pricing, and assist them in adapting to challenges.

Supports reducing taxes for the working class, raising the federal minimum wage to at least $17, cutting unnecessary corporate tax breaks, and investing in small businesses.

Supports reducing taxes for the working class.

Plans to "ban private equity from purchasing residential housing."

Wants to "strengthen Social Security by closing tax loopholes for the ultra wealthy, ensuring long-term program stability."

Promises to introduce a bill that restores full funding and staffing to pre-Department of Government Efficiency requirements.

Wants to raise the federal minimum wage to at least $20.

- Supports providing tax incentives and grants for small businesses that hire locally and offer competitive wages.
- Plans to invest in research that creates new job opportunities.
- Supports "holding companies accountable for price gouging."
- Believes expanding U.S. Department of Agriculture programs to prioritize farmers, provide resources for competitive pricing, and assist them in adapting to challenges.
- Supports reducing taxes for the working class.
- Plans to "ban private equity from purchasing residential housing."
- Wants to "strengthen Social Security by closing tax loopholes for the ultra wealthy, ensuring long-term program stability."
- Promises to introduce a bill that restores full funding and staffing to pre-Department of Government Efficiency requirements.
- Wants to raise the federal minimum wage to at least $20.

As of January 2, 2026, Zelda Briarwood’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports increasing funding for rural healthcare, emphasizing that access to quality care is a necessity.

Believes in increasing funding for rural healthcare.

Supports restoring funding and expanding Medicare to cover vision, dental, and hearing.

Wants to restore funding and expand Medicare to cover vision, dental, and hearing.

Supports lowering prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices and capping out-of-pocket expenses for seniors and working families.

Supports expanding hospitals and clinics, including those for Veterans in rural areas, to protect community healthcare.

Aims to expand hospitals and clinics, including those for Veterans in rural areas.

Supports ensuring safe staffing levels for nurses to provide everyone access to quality healthcare.

Commits to ensuring "safe staffing levels" for nurses to help provide everyone access to quality healthcare.

Plans to introduce legislation that "enshrines the right to Privacy and Bodily Autonomy."

- Believes in increasing funding for rural healthcare.
- Wants to restore funding and expand Medicare to cover vision, dental, and hearing.
- Supports lowering prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices and capping out-of-pocket expenses for seniors and working families.
- Aims to expand hospitals and clinics, including those for Veterans in rural areas.
- Commits to ensuring "safe staffing levels" for nurses to help provide everyone access to quality healthcare.
- Wants to prohibit for-profit healthcare.
- Plans to introduce legislation that "enshrines the right to Privacy and Bodily Autonomy."

Supports raising teacher pay and providing free school meals to all students.

Seeks to raise teacher pay and provide free school meals to all students.

Supports expanding access to vocational and technical training to provide students with career pathways.

Supports fully funding special education and mental health services to ensure every child has access to the tools they need to succeed.

Wants to fully fund special education and mental health services to ensure every child has access to "every tool they need to succeed."

Supports prohibiting for-profit education.

Aims to provide free school meals to all students.

Plans to introduce legislation that provides for free Community College for all.

- Seeks to raise teacher pay and provide free school meals to all students.
- Supports expanding access to vocational and technical training to provide students with career pathways.
- Wants to fully fund special education and mental health services to ensure every child has access to "every tool they need to succeed."
- Supports prohibiting for-profit education.
- Aims to provide free school meals to all students.
- Plans to introduce legislation that provides for free Community College for all.

Believes the Immigration and Custom Enforcement operations in Minnesota is really about "terrorizing" political opposition.

- Believes the Immigration and Custom Enforcement operations in Minnesota is really about "terrorizing" political opposition.

Wants to overturn the Citizens United case, which allows corporations to spend unlimited money on elections.

- Wants to overturn the Citizens United case, which allows corporations to spend unlimited money on elections.

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Zelda Briarwood

Supports expanding Medicaid to cover more individuals in need.

- Your U.S. representative represents the interests of your district in the U.S. House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. North Carolina currently has 14 U.S. representatives.
- U.S. representatives can author, sponsor, debate, and vote on bills that become federal law.
- Representatives may serve on congressional committees. Committees focus on certain areas of policy, such as transportation, education, or labor. They may also run for higher positions within their party, such as the speaker of the house or majority/minority leader.
- Representatives are elected to two-year terms and there are no term limits. U.S. representatives are paid a salary of $174,000/year.
-  Representatives must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen for seven years, and an inhabitant of the state from which he or she is elected. 

Your representative and federal lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives.

North Carolina U.S. Representative, District 11, Democratic Primary

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