Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Former Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower stirred the pot yesterday by putting out a statement that he would consider running again for the U.S. House seat in WNC now held by Rep. Heath Shuler if Shuler decides not to run for re-election this year. Mumpower cleverly used the “rumors of retirement” ploy to gin up a little buzz. Of course, we all remember that Mumpower, the Republican, ran against Democrat Shuler two years ago and lost.
But as far as I can tell, Shuler has every intention of running again. It’s awfully late in the game for an incumbent to decide not to seek re-election – he would be putting his Democratic party in a tough place by making that move. The National Review Online also thinks it’s likely that Shuler will be running again:
The thing is, Heath Shuler seems like one of the House Democrats least likely to retire. He just got to Congress in 2006, he’s only 37 years old, and he won his district with 62 percent when McCain was carrying it, 52 percent to 47 percent. Sure, he would face some trouble as a Democrat in a GOP-leaning district, but he voted against the stimulus and the health-care bill, but for cap-and-trade. He supported the Stupak amendment. He’s raised a half million dollars for his reelection bid, and so far hasn’t attracted any top-tier GOP challengers. He did have a scandal involving a land deal and the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the TVA “inspector general states that, contrary to Shuler’s claims, he contacted TVA CEO Tom Kilgore while the land swap was in progress. Shuler has told the local press that there had been no contact between him and the TVA, according to reports.” But that appeared to have largely blown over, with no serious repercussions to Shuler’s career.
Of course, any member could decide that they’re tired of the job at any time; Shuler might conclude that it’s tough being a conservative Democrat under Speaker Pelosi and that, with 2010 looking bad for Democrats, he has no interest in serving in the minority party in the House.
Or maybe Mike Shanahan talked to him about a comeback . . .
We need a real democratic representative who will get behind the public option. Shuler has damaged this country enough by not getting on board with the infrastructure this proud country demands. Get Mr. Silver Spoon out of office and get someone in there who represents the people instead of the insurance copmpanies. Come on WNC!
What happened to the Republican from Hendersonville who was supposed to mount a serious challenge to Shuler? Mumpower is not a good candidate.