NC-11 Democratic nominee?
$12.8K
MAR 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. House candidate
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationNorth Carolina
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BackgroundU.S. House candidate
EducationUniversity of South Carolina — Psychology and Outdoor Recreation (bachelor's)
Notable personal detailsZelda Thaker Briarwood is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District (2026 cycle). She has worked in direct care, advocacy, and crisis services roles, and has also worked as a service technician with Quality Data Systems. She studied Psychology and Outdoor Recreation at the University of South Carolina and later studied adventure-based psychotherapy/adventure education at Prescott College. She is active with the Haywood County Young Democrats and lives in Canton, North Carolina.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
The candidate supports closing tax loopholes for the ultra-wealthy and cutting corporate tax breaks, while reducing taxes for the working class and offering tax incentives/grants for small businesses. The platform pairs these tax changes with expanded government spending on Medicare, Social Security, rural healthcare, education, and other social programs.
Healthcare
Supports universal healthcare and treating healthcare as a right; proposes expanding Medicaid, restoring and expanding Medicare (vision, dental, hearing), allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and pursuing models of universal coverage.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports enshrining the right to privacy and bodily autonomy, indicating support for reproductive choice and protection of bodily autonomy in federal legislation. No explicit text on codifying Roe v. Wade or specific gestational limits was found on the campaign site.
Climate & Energy
Supports investing in climate-resilient infrastructure to protect Western North Carolina from future storms and includes climate-related infrastructure investment as part of her campaign platform. No explicit statements found on aggressive emissions targets, fossil fuel phase-out, or specific energy policies.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports sensible gun legislation including mental-health-informed checks and red flag laws while recognizing lawful concealed carry and hunting practices in her district. Advocates prioritizing mental health as part of reducing gun harm.
News
Zelda Briarwood is in the news as one of the Democratic candidates in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District primary criticizing the DCCC for endorsing rival Jamie Ager early. She and other candidates say the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” backing could shape the primary by affecting fundraising and the overall race dynamic.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements