Chuck Edwards

Chuck Edwards
Born	Charles Marion Edwards 13 9, 1960
Birthplace	Waynesville, North Carolina, U.S.
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Known for	U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 11th congressional district
Education	Blue Ridge Community College (attended)
Spouse(s)	Teresa Edwards
Children	2 (1 deceased)
Website	[[edwards.house.gov edwards.house.gov] Official site]

Charles Marion Edwards (born September 13, 1960) is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 11th congressional district since January 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Edwards previously represented the 48th district in the North Carolina Senate from 2016 to 2023. Before entering politics, Edwards built a career in business, including involvement in the fast-food restaurant industry and banking in western North Carolina. He gained national attention in 2022 when he defeated the controversial incumbent Madison Cawthorn in the Republican primary for the 11th congressional district, going on to win the general election and take office in the 118th United States Congress. Edwards represents a sprawling, mountainous district in the western part of the state that includes the city of Asheville and surrounding communities in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In Congress, he has focused on issues affecting rural communities, including disaster recovery following Hurricane Helene and legislation aimed at rural water infrastructure.

Early Life

Charles Marion Edwards was born on September 13, 1960, in Waynesville, North Carolina, a small town in the western mountains of the state. He grew up in the region and remained rooted in western North Carolina throughout his life. Edwards attended Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, though details about whether he completed a degree program are limited in available sources.

Edwards developed an early interest in business and entrepreneurship. He became involved in the fast-food restaurant industry, eventually owning and operating multiple McDonald's franchise locations in the western North Carolina area. His business background became a central part of his public identity and later political career, as he frequently cited his experience as a small business owner when discussing economic policy and regulatory issues.

In addition to his restaurant businesses, Edwards was involved in the banking sector. He had connections to Entegra Financial Corp., a community banking institution based in western North Carolina. Entegra Financial Corp. was later acquired by First Citizens BancShares in a merger completed in 2020.

Career

North Carolina Senate

Edwards entered elected politics in 2016 when he was appointed to the North Carolina Senate, representing the 48th district. He replaced Senator Tom Apodaca, who had vacated the seat. Edwards was sworn in on August 19, 2016, and subsequently won election to full terms representing the district, which encompassed parts of western North Carolina including portions of Henderson County and surrounding areas.

During his tenure in the North Carolina Senate, Edwards served on various committees and focused on issues related to business regulation, economic development, and matters affecting western North Carolina. His small business background informed his legislative priorities, and he positioned himself as a pragmatic, business-oriented conservative within the Republican caucus.

In 2018, Edwards participated in a moment of silence in the North Carolina Senate, reflecting the legislative body's engagement with events of public significance during his tenure.

Edwards served in the North Carolina Senate until January 1, 2023, when he was succeeded by Tim Moffitt following Edwards's election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

2022 Congressional Campaign

In 2021, Edwards announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina's 11th congressional district, setting up a Republican primary challenge against the incumbent, Madison Cawthorn. Cawthorn, who had been elected in 2020 at the age of 25, had become one of the most controversial members of Congress, generating headlines for a series of scandals and provocative statements that alienated many within the Republican establishment.

The 2022 Republican primary became a closely watched race nationally. Edwards ran as a more conventional, experienced alternative to Cawthorn, emphasizing his business background and state legislative experience. He attracted support from a range of Republican figures and organizations who had grown frustrated with Cawthorn's controversies. The primary took place on May 17, 2022, and Edwards defeated Cawthorn, ending the young congressman's bid for a second term.

The result was seen as a significant rebuke of Cawthorn by Republican primary voters. National media covered the race extensively, with outlets such as Business Insider analyzing how Cawthorn's scandals and unconventional political style contributed to his defeat at the hands of the more established Edwards.

Edwards went on to win the general election in November 2022, securing the seat in the heavily Republican 11th congressional district. He took office on January 3, 2023, as part of the 118th United States Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives

118th Congress (2023–2025)

Upon taking office, Edwards joined the Republican majority in the 118th Congress. He represented a district covering much of western North Carolina, including the city of Asheville and numerous rural mountain communities. Edwards sought committee assignments that aligned with his interests in business, agriculture, and issues affecting rural and mountain districts.

During his first term, Edwards introduced legislation related to immigration policy, reflecting a conservative approach to border security and enforcement that aligned with broader Republican priorities.

Edwards also focused on issues directly affecting his constituents in western North Carolina. Following the devastثation caused by Hurricane Helene in the region, Edwards engaged in advocacy for disaster recovery funding and resources for affected communities. The hurricane's impact on the mountainous terrain of his district brought significant attention to the need for federal disaster assistance and infrastructure rebuilding in rural areas.

119th Congress (2025–present)

Edwards continued serving in the 119th United States Congress following his reelection. In August 2025, he co-introduced bipartisan legislation with U.S. Representative Jim Costa of California. The Emergency Rural Water Response Act was designed to fast-track emergency water aid for rural communities, addressing a critical infrastructure need in areas like those in Edwards's district. The legislation reflected Edwards's focus on rural infrastructure issues and his willingness to work across party lines on certain policy areas.

In November 2025, during a federal government shutdown, Edwards defended the Republican decision to adjourn the U.S. House, telling Blue Ridge Public Radio that it "was the right move." In the same interview, he discussed ongoing negotiations over reopening the federal government and continued Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in his district.

Edwards's record drew criticism from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), which in February 2026 accused him of "defunding rural health care," arguing that grant announcements by Edwards did little to offset the impact of adjustments to Medicaid funding in rural areas.

2026 Election Cycle

As of early 2026, Edwards faces challenges from within his own party as well as from Democratic candidates ahead of the 2026 elections. Adam Smith, a military veteran whose political involvement was reportedly spurred by his experience during Hurricane Helene disaster cleanup operations, announced a Republican primary challenge against Edwards.

On the Democratic side, multiple candidates have entered the race for the 11th district. National Democrats, through the DCCC, announced their support for candidate Ager in the Democratic primary, signaling a concerted effort to challenge Edwards in the general election. A debate among the five Democratic candidates for the seat in early 2026 focused on issues including ICE enforcement and immigration policy.

Edwards's campaign for reelection is registered with the Federal Election Commission.

Personal Life

Edwards resides in western North Carolina with his wife, Teresa Edwards. The couple has two children, one of whom is deceased. The circumstances surrounding the loss of their child are a matter of private family grief, and Edwards has not extensively discussed the matter in public forums.

Edwards has maintained deep ties to the western North Carolina community throughout his life, having been born in Waynesville and building his business career in the region. His involvement in local business organizations, including the chamber of commerce, preceded his entry into electoral politics.

Edwards's official congressional website serves as the primary portal for constituent services and information about his legislative activities.

Political Positions

Edwards has positioned himself as a conservative Republican with a focus on business-friendly economic policies, immigration enforcement, and rural infrastructure development. His legislative priorities in Congress have included:

• Immigration: Edwards introduced legislation targeting immigration enforcement, consistent with the broader Republican approach to border security and immigration policy.

• Rural infrastructure: Edwards co-sponsored the bipartisan Emergency Rural Water Response Act with Democratic Representative Jim Costa, aimed at expediting emergency water assistance to rural communities.

• Disaster recovery: Following Hurricane Helene's impact on western North Carolina, Edwards advocated for federal resources and recovery assistance for his district.

• Federal government operations: During the November 2025 government shutdown, Edwards supported the House Republican leadership's decision to adjourn, describing it as "the right move" while negotiations continued.