Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) announced on Aug. 5, 2026, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026.

Edwards initially sought re-election in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. On March 3, 2026, Edwards defeated Adam Smith (R) in the Republican primary 70.1% to 29.9%.

In a statement announcing his retirement, Edwards said, “After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign. I will complete my current term. Serving Western North Carolina has been the honor of my life.”

In May 2026, the U.S. House Ethics Committee began an investigation of Edwards related to allegations of sexual misconduct. The committee recommended on Aug. 3, 2026, that the chamber censure Edwards following the investigation into his conduct toward two former staff members.

In 2022, Edwards ran for his first term in the U.S. House in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. Edwards defeated seven candidates, including then-incumbent Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.), in the Republican primary. Edwards won 33.4% of the vote to second-place finisher Cawthorn’s 31.9%. Edwards was one of 10 challengers to defeat a U.S. House incumbent in a Republican primary that year.

In the 2022 general election, Edwards defeated Jasmine Beach-Ferrara (D) 53.8% to 44.5%. In the 2024 general election, Edwards defeated Caleb Rudow (D) 56.8% to 43.2%.

As of Aug. 4, 2026, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report, DDHQ/TheHill, and Inside Elections have rated the 2026 general election for the district as Lean Republican. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated it as a Toss-up.

As of Aug. 5, 2026, Edwards is one of 71 members of the U.S. Congress — 11 U.S. Senate members and 60 U.S. House members — who have announced they will not seek re-election to their current seats in 2026. 

Of the 60 U.S. House incumbents who are not seeking re-election:

• Thirty-two— 15 Democrats and 17 Republicans — are retiring from public office.
• Sixteen — seven Democrats and nine Republicans — are running for the U.S. Senate.
• Ten — all Republicans — are running for governor.
• One Republican is running for state attorney general.
• One Democrat is running for a state legislative district.

Compared to the last four election cycles, there were 45 retirement announcements at this point in 2024, 49 in 2022, 36 in 2020, and 52 in 2018. 

Between January 2011 and August 2026, Ballotpedia tracked 363 announcements by U.S. House members that they would not seek re-election. January had the highest number of members announcing they would not run for re-election at 62. The fewest announcements occurred in June, at 15.