Jennifer Capps Balkcom

Jennifer Capps Balkcom is the incumbent Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 117 and is seeking re‑election in the November 3, 2026 general election ¹². The 117th district covers most of Henderson County in western North Carolina. As a state legislator she serves a two‑year term that began on January 1, 2023 and runs through January 1, 2027 ¹².

Balkcom was born and raised in Henderson County, graduating from East Henderson High School before earning an associate degree in Business Administration/Banking and Finance from Blue Ridge Community College in 2016 ¹⁹. She has spent her professional career in the banking and mortgage‑lending industry, advancing from teller to branch manager and later to mortgage loan officer, most recently with ALCOVA Mortgage ¹¹.

Her community involvement is extensive. She has held leadership positions as vice president of the Hendersonville Women’s Club and the Hendersonville Lions Club, and served as treasurer of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Western North Carolina ¹¹¹. Balkcom also sits on the boards of the Henderson County Education Foundation, the Advent Health Foundation, the Henderson County Planning Board, and the non‑profit The Store House, among others ¹¹¹²⁰.

In the legislature Balkcom has been assigned to several key committees, including Agriculture, Banking, House Finance, Local Government – Land Use, Planning and Development, and State Government during the 2023‑2024 session ¹¹⁵. She has sponsored a range of bills, such as the “Back the Blue Pay Act” (HB 42) and the “Farmers Protection Act” (HB 62), reflecting interests in public safety, agricultural preservation, and property rights ⁶.

Balkcom’s campaign platform emphasizes conservative priorities: returning to paper ballots and ballot inspection, strict border enforcement, eliminating the state income tax, protecting Second Amendment rights, defending the unborn, supporting parental rights, school choice, and opposing critical race theory ¹⁰. She describes herself as a “proven conservative fighter” who grew up on a family farm and has deep roots in Henderson County ¹⁰²⁰.

If re‑elected, Balkcom will continue to represent the interests of Henderson County residents in the state House, drawing on her banking expertise, legislative experience, and long‑standing community service.

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