Heath Shuler

Heath Shuler
File:Heath Shuler.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 11th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 4, 2007–
Preceded by	Charles Taylor
Personal details
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Nikol Shuler

Joseph Heath Shuler (born December 31, 1971) is an American politician and former professional football player. On November 7, 2006 Shuler was elected to the United States House of Representatives to represent North Carolina's 11th congressional district in the 110th Congress. Shuler defeated 8-term Republican incumbent Charles H. Taylor. He is the first Democrat to represent the district in 15 years.

A former National Football League (NFL) quarterback and real-estate investor, Shuler was born in Bryson City, North Carolina, a small town in the Great Smoky Mountains. Shuler attended the University of Tennessee from 1990-1993.

Athletic career

Heath Shuler's athletic career began at Swain County High School. He was a standout quarterback who drew plenty of scout attention. Shuler chose to head for Knoxville, where he would become one of the University of Tennessee's greatest.

At the University of Tennessee, Shuler gained national attention as one of the Southeastern Conference's top quarterbacks. He held nearly all Volunteer passing records at the end of his career, although most of them have since been shattered by Peyton Manning. In 1993, he came in second in the vote for the prestigious Heisman Trophy.

Shuler was selected third overall in the 1994 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He held out of training camp until he received a 7-year, $19.25 million contract and subsequently seemed to have a difficult time adjusting to the pro level. His first pass in training camp was intercepted, and it was a sign of things to come. He lasted through three losing seasons in Washington with the Redskins going 4-15 in games in which he started. After the 1996 season, Shuler signed with the New Orleans Saints. He suffered a serious foot injury during the 1997 season in New Orleans and went through two surgeries.

After a second lackluster season in New Orleans, Shuler signed with the Oakland Raiders, where he reinjured his foot in training camp and retired. As a pro, his career passer rating was a low 54.3 and in 2004 ESPN rated him the 17th biggest 'sports flop' of the past 25 years.

Post-athletic career

After retiring from the NFL, Heath returned to the University of Tennessee and completed his education, graduating with a degree in Psychology. He then became a real estate professional in Knoxville, where he had starred in college. His real estate company was one of the largest independent firms in East Tennessee.

In 2003, Shuler moved back to western North Carolina. He now lives in Waynesville, North Carolina with his wife Nikol and two children, Navy and Island.

Politics

In July 2005, Shuler announced his intentions to seek the Democratic nomination to run for the U.S. House of Representatives against incumbent Republican Charles H. Taylor in North Carolina's 11th congressional district (map). The district covers most of the Western North Carolina mountains where Shuler grew up.

On May 2, 2006, Shuler won the Democratic primary with nearly 75% of the vote. In the 2006 election, Shuler won election over the incumbent Taylor with 54 percent of the vote to Taylor's 46 percent.

Shuler made protecting the environment and transitioning to clean energy a priority in his campaign. Despite his lack of any political experience or degree in political science , Shuler's platforms show him to be a moderate democrat. He supported candidates from both parties in Tennessee, and Republican strategists had even tried to recruit him for other offices prior to his Congressional run. In interviews, Shuler has stated he is a Democrat because of the influence of his grandmother, who taught him that the Democratic Party had always fought for the poor and disenfranchised. During his congressional campaign, he repeatedly attacked Taylor for putting the interests of the Bush administration above the interests of the 11th, and has vowed to be an "independent voice" for western North Carolina. A devout Southern Baptist, Shuler opposes abortion. He also supports gun rights and has vowed to fight for balanced budgets as part of the "Blue Dog Coalition," a group of moderate and conservative Democrats.

In the 110th Congress, Shuler became the chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship.

Electoral History

• 2006 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - North Carolina 11th District
  • Heath Shuler (D), 54%
  • Charles H. Taylor (R) (inc.), 46%

External links

• Official House Website
• Official Campaign Website
• Career stats for Shuler
• Shuler's NFL.com page