Dr. Chris Cooper, political scientist at Western Carolina University, joins Tony to discuss the Republican executive committee vote to fill the 11th Congressional District seat, with state Rep. Jennifer Balkam of Henderson County emerging as a leading contender after Tim Moffat and Jake Johnson both withdrew. Cooper explains how the 61-member committee process works, why the race will be expensive given the district's sprawling geography and multiple media markets, and why Democratic candidate Jamie Ager's $2 million head start puts the eventual Republican nominee at a significant disadvantage.