North Carolina PACs Pull Over $1 Million in TV Ads Before Nov. 3 Vote

More than one million dollars in television advertising for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District was cancelled this week. Political action committees are moving these funds out of the local race and into other House contests across the country. The withdrawals occurred just days before the November 3 election.

The 11th District race features Democrat Jamie Ager and Republican Jennifer Balkcom. Outside groups are reassessing their spending strategies in the final stretch of the campaign. They are redirecting budgets toward races they view as more competitive. Control of the House of Representatives is the central stakes for these decisions.

The Trump-aligned group No Going Back cancelled major ad buys supporting Balkcom. The House Majority PAC, which supports Democratic House candidates, cancelled approximately $700,000 in advertising for Ager on WLOS. Federal Election Commission records show individual ad purchases ranging from tens of thousands to over $100,000. These cancellations represent a substantial shift in outside spending for the local contest.

Balkcom entered the race after Republican Chuck Edwards exited. This late entry gave her less time to campaign than Ager, who had been running for about a year. Recent polling shows Balkcom trailing Ager in the district. Chris Cooper, chair of the political science department at Western Carolina University, noted that Balkcom faced early challenges in media appearances. He described instances where she stumbled on answers to reporter questions.

Cooper stated that pulling money from a race is a common tactic as Election Day approaches. He described the situation as good money after bad for groups that believe their spending will not change the outcome. These are big numbers right in a congressional race, Cooper said. He added that over a million dollars in ads being pulled is a major adjustment for a single district.

Balkcom’s spokesperson declined to comment on the cancelled advertising. The shifts in funds create logistical changes for local television stations. Broadcasters must manage a flurry of cancellations and replacement buys as groups adjust their plans. All political advertising for the November 3 election will end on Election Day.