This piece is part of a series of articles examining where 2026 Southeastern candidates for state and federal offices stand on key energy and climate issues, like data centers and energy costs.
Note: The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. Links to reports, candidate websites, and outside sources are provided as citizen education tools.
In this blog post, we examine the policies and positions of Jamie Ager, the Democratic candidate running to represent North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. Also in this series, we profile Republican candidate Jennifer Balkcom. Election Day is November 3.
Jamie Ager is a fourth-generation farmer and entrepreneur. He was born and raised in Fairview, NC, graduated from A.C. Reynolds High School, and earned degrees from Warren Wilson College in Environmental Studies with a concentration in sustainable agriculture and history. He is the co-founder and CEO of Hickory Nut Gap Farms, which describes itself as “a leader in 100% grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork production in the Southeast. Along with partner farms, Hickory Nut Gap is spearheading the regenerative agriculture movement, using pasture-based farming to rebuild farmland, sequester carbon as organic matter in soil, and work to reverse climate change.”
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
When asked about his position on solar energy in a Mountain Xpress interview, Jamie Ager stated: “Western North Carolina farms, small businesses and homes need an energy strategy that can lower costs for all of our families and communities. That includes all types of energy, including solar energy, which we take advantage of in our home. […] I won’t let partisan politics get in the way of supporting whatever energy is cheapest and best for our families.”
In an interview with The Contrarian, Ager stated that “from an energy policy standpoint, there’s no question we need an energy policy that encourages renewables. Encourages low-cost renewables, right? Solar’s a terrific, you know, source of energy when we manage it right.”
Climate Change
In his interview with The Contrarian, Jamie Ager said, “We need to figure out how to get climate change under control.” His business states that it is “using pasture-based farming to rebuild farmland, sequester carbon as organic matter in soil, and work to reverse climate change.” In his interview with Mountain Xpress, Ager stated strong opposition to the idea of defunding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) because of how its weather and climate data helps respond to big storms, like Hurricane Helene.
Electric Transportation
We were unable to confirm Jamie Ager’s position on electric transportation in published media, public records, or on his campaign website.
Energy Justice
We were unable to confirm Jamie Ager’s position on energy justice in published media, public records, or on his campaign website.
Energy Affordability
Jamie Ager’s campaign website states that he will support tax credits that help families save energy and pay less for heat and electricity.
High-Risk Energy: Nuclear, Coal, Methane Gas
Jamie Ager stated his opposition to the repeal of Environmental Protection Agency regulations on methane pollution from oil and gas facilities in his interview with Mountain Xpress. He said: “Letting oil and gas companies off the hook for tracking and reducing pollution doesn’t help anybody in the long run. We need clean air and water for our kids. […] I support reasonable accountability that keeps our environment clean while keeping our businesses running.”
He said he is in favor of “all types of energy” that lower costs for families and communities.
Data Centers
In his Mountain Xpress interview, Jamie Ager said about data centers: “Data centers need to work for us, not the other way around. If we’re going to let a data center be built in Western North Carolina, it needs to bring good local jobs; it cannot poison our water or our air, and it cannot drive up electric bills for families and small businesses[…] Every community deserves that ability to set the terms if they want a data center at all.”
Voting Information
Election Day is November 3. Here are important dates and deadlines to consider, from the North Carolina State Board of Elections:
- Sept. 4: Absentee ballots must be available and distributed to military and overseas voters. For more, see Vote by Mail.
- Oct. 9: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.).* For more, see How to Register.
- Oct. 15: In-person early voting begins; same-day registration available. For more, see Vote Early in Person.
- Oct. 20: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.).*
- Oct. 31: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.).
- Nov. 3: Election Day. For more, see Vote in Person on Election Day.
- Nov. 3: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.).*
*Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.
Find additional important election information here.
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