Vance promises $858 million for Helene road repairs at North Carolina rally

Vice President JD Vance on Monday announced $858 million in additional Transportation Department money to rebuild roads in western North Carolina damaged by Hurricane Helene, using a campaign stop in Hendersonville to make the pledge.

Vance said the funds would go toward rebuilding eight major corridors, including Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge, according to WLOS and NC Newsline. NC Newsline reported that the Transportation Department announced $873 million in Helene relief for the state the same day and did not explain the difference between the figures.

The campaign backdrop

The rally, at a warehouse that WLOS said drew roughly 200 to 300 people, was aimed at boosting Republican turnout. Vance campaigned for:

• Michael Whatley, the GOP nominee for the open U.S. Senate seat, who faces former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Cook Political Report rates the race likely Democratic, NC Newsline reported.
• Jennifer Balkcom, a state lawmaker running in the 11th Congressional District against Democrat Jamie Ager.
• Laurie Buckhout, another Republican House candidate.

The recovery dispute

Helene recovery has become a campaign issue. Whatley was named the administration's recovery czar in January 2025; critics, including some Republicans, say he did little to secure federal help, NC Newsline reported. Whatley has blamed Cooper, saying he was unprepared for the disaster.

A Cooper campaign spokesperson said the former governor led the state through several major storms and secured state and federal recovery money, according to NC Newsline.

Election Day is Nov. 3.