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James Peterson Ager

James Peterson Ager
Candidate for None None, None None
Candidate for None None, None None

James "Jamie" Ager is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, appearing on the November 3, 2026 general‑election ballot. To hold a seat in the House, a candidate must be at least 25 years old, have been a U.S. citizen for seven years, and be an inhabitant of the state at the time of election [1].

Ager was born and raised in Fairview, North Carolina. He earned his high‑school diploma from A.C. Reynolds High School and went on to graduate from Warren Wilson College with bachelor’s degrees in environmental studies (concentrating on sustainable agriculture) and history [2]. He has spent his adult life on the family‑owned Hickory Nut Gap Farm, a fourth‑generation operation that now employs about 25 workers and markets pasture‑raised meat throughout the region [5][16]. In addition to farming, Ager co‑founded the Hickory Nut Gap business, served on the Buncombe County Farm Bureau and the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, and has been active in local disaster‑recovery and economic‑development boards [2][4].

Ager comes from a long line of public servants. His grandfather, Jamie Clarke, served in the North Carolina House, Senate and U.S. Congress in the 1980s, while his father, John Ager, represented western‑mountain districts in the North Carolina House from 2015 to 2023; his brother, Eric Ager, is a current Buncombe County state representative [16]. Though rooted in a political family, Ager emphasizes his hands‑on farming experience as the foundation of his public service philosophy.

In the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary, Ager captured 64.7 % of the vote (49,077 votes), defeating four opponents and securing the party’s nomination for the congressional race [2][13][18]. He has since been added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red‑to‑Blue” program, granting his campaign national fundraising, staffing and strategic support [9][10]. By the end of 2025, Ager had raised more cash than all other Democratic contenders in the district combined [18]. Endorsements include the DCCC, the Blue Dog Coalition, WelcomePAC and several local organizations [9][19].

Ager’s platform centers on issues that affect western North Carolina’s rural communities. He is prioritizing Hurricane Helene recovery funds, expanding affordable health‑care (including rural hospital support and prescription‑drug price reductions), lowering the cost of living for families, protecting public lands and outdoor economies, and investing in infrastructure such as roads, clean water and high‑speed broadband [4][5][9][11][12][14]. He also advocates for policies that support small‑business owners and farmers, including tax credits for sustainable agriculture and measures to preserve farmland [4][5][16]. While running as a Democrat, Ager describes himself as a pragmatic, “mountain‑state” candidate who will put people before partisan politics.

If elected, Ager would join the 118th Congress, where members serve two‑year terms, vote on federal legislation, and provide constituent services for their districts. His experience as a farmer, small‑business owner and community leader positions him to argue for rural interests on the national stage.

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