Notability - In November 2006, 34-year-old Heath Shuler, a former NFL quarterback, defeated the eight-term Republican incumbent of North Carolina’s 11th district, charging that he had not watched out for his constituents.
First-time political candidate Shuler won 54% of the vote. Shuler won reelection in 2008 with 62% of the vote.
As a conservative Democrat, Shuler is reputed to have raised the liberal ire of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, most recently by voting against President Obama’s $819 billion economic stimulus package and other massive fiscal legislation. Shuler is an active member of the fiscally conservative, pro-business Blue Dog Democrats.
Career Path –
From 1994 to 1997, Heath Shuler was a National Football League player for the Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, and New Orleans Saints. After his retirement from the NFL, Shuler became a real estate broker and built a thriving independent real estate company.
Birth – December 31, 1971 in Bryson City, North Carolina to a mail carrier and his wife, a full-time homemaker.
Education – Quarterback Heath Shuler led his high school football team to three state championships. In 1990, he attended University of Tennessee on a football scholarship. After retirement from the NFL, Shuler completed requirements to earn a B.A. in psychology from that university.