Clay County Democrats are partnering with neighboring North Carolina counties and organizations to host a joint candidate forum. All NC-11 Democratic Congressional candidates have agreed to attend and will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and respond to questions in a panel discussion format. This is your chance to meet the candidates, hear their priorities, and learn where they stand on the issues that matter most to our district.

The following is the list of the NC-11 Democratic Candidates:

• Zelda Briarwood – from Canton. Works in direct care and as an advocate.

• Jamie Ager – CEO and co-founder of Hickory Nut Gap Farm. His brother is in the NC General Assembly and family has a history of service in government. Lives in Fairview

• Richard Hudspeth, M.D. – Family Practice Physician lives in Hendersonville. He served as CEO of Blue Ridge Health.

• Paul Maddox – Cancer researcher at UNC Chapel Hill and two-time entrepreneur.

• Lee Whipple – TBD

You can learn more about each of the candidates by visiting their candidate websites at Clay County’s 2026 Primary Candidates Page here.