North Carolina Democrat Heath Shuler won't seek re-election to the House. Shuler has served three terms representing North Carolina's 11th Congressional district in the western part of the state.

The former Tennessee and NFL football player has not been a Democratic Party favorite being a frequent critic of House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi. However, Pelosi praised Shuler as "a national leader for fiscal responsibility who has always maintained a laser-like focus on his constituents in western North Carolina."

Shuler says he and his family have discussed his running for governor, but Shuler's statement does not reveal any decisions. Shuler says he intends to spend more time with his wife and two young children.

The state Legislature made his 11th District seat more difficult to win through redistricting, particularly by splitting Democratic-leaning Asheville. While Shuler, who was also considered anti-abortion, said polls showed he was still ahead by about 8 percentage points in the 11th District, at least nine Republicans had expressed interest in unseating him.