U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina announced Thursday he won't seek re-election in what's become another blow to conservative Democrats on Capitol Hill and the party's state congressional delegation.
Shuler, a former professional football player and conservative who challenged House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi for her post following the November 2010 elections, announced in a statement that he will not seek a fourth House term representing far western North Carolina.
Shuler said he discussed running for North Carolina governor with his family but decided against it earlier this week.
"I spent time with the family and realized I have to be at home more, spend some more time with them." Shuler and his wife have two children, ages 10 and 7.
Shuler, 40, said his decision had nothing to do with his unsuccessful challenge to Pelosi or his occasional clashes with party leaders, who are all more liberal than he is. He was a leader in the so-called Democratic Blue Dog Coalition in Washington, which included moderate and conservative Democrats who lobbied for greater fiscal responsibility in Washington.
"There's no other reason other than to spend as much time as I possibly can with them. When you've got a 7-year-old girl, and you left on Tuesday and she calls you Wednesday and says, 'Come home now,' I want to be home with those kids," Shuler told reporters in Washington.
He played for the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints and the Oakland Raiders before an injury ended his NFL career.
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