Blue Dog Democrat US Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC) to Retire … No Run in 2012 Election

Yet another Democrats will not seek reelection in 2012. US Representative Heath Shuler (D-NC) will not run for reelection in 2012. Shuler was first elected in 2006 as a fiscal conservative, Blue Dog Democrat who in many instances broke with Democratic leadership on issues of spending. Shuler voted against President Obama’s 2009 economic stimulus bill as well as healthcare reform. He also launched an unsuccessful attempt to oust Rep. Nancy Pelosi (CA) following the 2010 midterm election massacre.

One of the last remaining members of the Blue Dog Coalition, Shuler was hit by congressional redistricting that made his western North Carolina district much more difficult for a Democrat to win. The three-term congressman had been floated as a possible candidate for governor in North Carolina, but announced on Wednesday that he would not be running for that office.

“This was not an easy decision,” Shuler said. “However, I am confident that it is the right decision. It is a decision I have weighed heavily over the past few months. I have always said family comes first, and I never intended to be a career politician.”

Shuler stressed to reporters that family considerations were his sole reason for leaving Congress.

“I’ve got to be at home more, spend some more time with them,” said Shuler, who has a 7-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son.

Let’s face it, many things are against Shuler in 2012. He faces a tough reelection battle due to redistricting, his Democrat party has pretty much left him as it has lurches to the far left, and it is hard to imagine that Obama will carry NV as he did in 2008.