From Fast Food to Franchise Owner
Born in Waynesville, North Carolina, in 1960, Charles "Chuck" Edwards's story is deeply rooted in the western part of the state he now represents. His professional life began at age 16 with a job at a McDonald's in Hendersonville. This early experience in the fast-food industry became the foundation of his career. After graduating from West Henderson High School and attending Blue Ridge Community College for business, he joined the McDonald's Corporation's management team. He steadily climbed the corporate ladder before taking a significant entrepreneurial leap in 1998: he purchased the very McDonald's franchises where his career started. Over the years, he and his wife, Teresa, grew their business, the Edwards Group, to include multiple McDonald's locations
and other ventures in real estate and self-storage. In July 2026, Edwards announced the sale of their restaurants to focus more on public service.
An Entry into State Politics
For much of his life, Edwards was a businessman, not a politician. His first run for public office came in 2016, motivated by what he described as government overreach into business affairs. Following the retirement of State Senator Tom Apodaca, Edwards was appointed to represent the 48th District in the North Carolina Senate in August 2016 before winning his first full term that November. In the state legislature, he gained a reputation as a diligent worker, eventually serving on as many as 18 different committees and chairing eight of them. His focus was often on applying his business background to fiscal policy and governance, where colleagues noted his work ethic. He served three terms in the state senate, from 2016 to 2023, building a record as a reliable conservative.
The Jump to Congress
Edwards's transition to federal politics came in the 2022 election cycle when he challenged the incumbent Republican, Madison Cawthorn, for North Carolina's 11th Congressional District. In a closely watched primary, Edwards positioned himself as a more traditional and effective conservative. He secured the endorsement of key state Republicans, including U.S. Senator Thom Tillis. On May 17, 2022, Edwards won the primary, a victory largely attributed to his strong performance in Henderson County, where both candidates resided, and Buncombe County. He went on to win the general election in November 2022, defeating his Democratic opponent.
Record and Priorities in Washington
Since taking office on January 3, 2023, Congressman Edwards has focused his work through key committee assignments. As a freshman lawmaker, he secured spots on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and the Budget Committee, a rare achievement. He serves as the vice chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs. His office motto is "First in constituent services," and he utilizes a mobile office vehicle to meet with residents across the district's 15 counties. His political positions align with the Republican Party's conservative wing. He is a member of several caucuses, including the Republican Study Committee and the Pro-Life Caucus. His legislative priorities often reflect his business background, with a focus on fiscal accountability and reduced government spending.
