America’s Credit Unions Hits the Campaign Trail with Former Credit Union Leader Jennifer Balkcom Across Western North Carolina 

America’s Credit Unions Hits the Campaign Trail with Former Credit Union Leader Jennifer Balkcom Across Western North Carolina 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — On Monday, September 28, America’s Credit Unions supported North Carolina State Representative Jennifer Balkcom in her campaign for the state’s 11th Congressional District, joining her on a multi-stop campaign tour across Western North Carolina to connect with local credit union employees, members, and voters. 

America’s Credit Unions is backing Balkcom through advertising, on-the-ground campaign events, and direct outreach to highlight her track record to voters across the district. 

Balkcom, who currently represents District 117 in the North Carolina General Assembly, has spent years working directly within the credit union movement as a branch manager and financial professional. The tour highlights the critical role local financial cooperatives play in mountain communities, featuring visits to branches across the region: 

• Champion Credit Union (Canton) 

• Mountain Credit Union (Waynesville) 

• Telco Credit Union (Arden) 

• State Employees’ Credit Union (Hendersonville) 

• United Credit Union (Hendersonville) 

“Jennifer is truly one of our own,” said Trey Hawkins, Head of Political Affairs at America’s Credit Unions. “She sat across the desk from working families, approved small business and mortgage loans, and understands firsthand how decisions made in Washington land on local financial institutions and the Americans who rely on them. With the balance of power in Congress up for grabs, this race is vital. We are fully committed to helping a proven credit union leader take her Main Street financial experience to Capitol Hill.” 

“Jennifer knows our communities and our credit unions inside and out,” said Dan Schline, President and CEO of the Carolinas Credit Union League. “Through her experience as a credit union professional and our work with her in the North Carolina General Assembly, the Carolinas Credit Union League has seen firsthand her understanding of credit unions and the communities they serve. We know she will bring a practical, common-sense approach to Washington.” 

During each stop, Balkcom and representatives from America’s Credit Unions and the Carolinas Credit Union League met with frontline staff and leadership to discuss expanding access to affordable capital, tackling housing affordability, and cutting red tape that drives up costs for local families. 

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About America’s Credit Unions 

America’s Credit Unions is the unified voice for not-for-profit credit unions, representing more than 95% of the industry’s assets and their more than 146 million members nationwide. America’s Credit Unions provides strong advocacy, resources and services to advance, empower, and protect credit unions and the people and communities they serve. For more information about America’s Credit Unions, visit AmericasCreditUnions.org.