Elections Heath Shuler

in july 2005, shuler announced intention seek democratic nomination run against eight-term incumbent republican charles h. taylor. north carolina s 11th congressional district covered of western north carolina mountains shuler grew up.

when shuler ran in 2006, tough target opponents. ideals seemed in line traditionally conservative district , did not have legislative record opponents attack. campaign points based on supporting cultural “mountain values:” opposing abortion rights, same-sex marriage , gun control. taylor, appropriations subcommittee chairman, campaigned on ability bring federal money district. in october, polls showing taylor trailing, wall street journal ran story spending earmarks sought taylor benefited many of business interests. taylor poured $2.5 million of own money race, , spent $4.4 million overall, compared shuler’s $1.8 million.

shuler repeatedly attacked taylor failing stand 11th s interests. example, blasted taylor missing vote on central american free trade agreement, passed 2 votes. shuler pointed out that, according house roll call, taylor voted 11 times on same day cafta came vote, suggesting deliberately avoided vote. taylor 1 of 2 republicans did not vote on bill, though had publicly opposed in past.

taylor, part, claimed shuler vote democrat nancy pelosi, although shuler conservative on social issues taylor.

in november election, shuler won 54 percent of vote taylor s 46 percent. carried 9 of district s 15 counties, including several areas had reliably supported taylor on years. carried taylor s home county of transylvania. shuler 1 of 2 democrats defeat incumbent in south year. victory gave democrats majority of state s congressional delegation first time since 1994 elections.

in 2009, documentary film successful 2006 democratic campaign retake control of house, housequake, prominently featured then-congressman rahm emanuel s efforts recruit new candidates including shuler. mr. emanuel’s efforts him run offer 1 of revealing moments in film, including 2 weeks of frequent phone calls balancing of family , congressional obligations. film directed , produced karen elizabeth price, daughter of congressman david price represents north carolina s 4th congressional district.

2008

in 2008, shuler faced carl mumpower, republican asheville city councilman, , libertarian keith smith. shuler won 62 percent of vote. carried 15 counties in district, including traditionally republican henderson county.

2010

in 2009, shuler mentioned possible candidate run against republican richard burr united states senate in next year s elections. chose not so. shuler defeated miller, retaining house seat margin of 54% 46%.

2012

although shuler represented district slight republican bent, had lifetime acu rating of 28.5.

in july 2011, republican-dominated general assembly redrew 11th. of heavily democratic asheville drawn 10th. make population loss, number of heavily republican counties in foothills moved 11th. redistricting reduced percentage of registered democrats in 11th 43% 36%. chris cooper, political science professor @ western carolina university, concluded new district heavily republican shuler need practically separate himself democratic party in order have chance of winning it. years later, nbc news concluded redrawn 11th unwinnable democrat, conservative democrat shuler. district drawn in way in neighborhoods, 1 side of street moved 10th while other side remained in 11th.

over course of 2011, several persons declared candidacy shuler s seat or expressed interest in possible run.

on february 2, 2012, shuler announced not run term. years later, said kind of ultra-precise redistricting enabled republican-dominated legislature split asheville between 2 districts bad country because made impossible elect moderates congress. argued fairer redistricting system single greatest thing happen.