N.C. rep opts against challenging Sen. Burr

Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) will not try to unseat first-term Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) in 2010.

Local media reports say Shuler, a centrist Democrat elected to his second term in the House last fall, decided against challenging Burr.

{mosads}”I can confirm that Congressman Shuler has officially stated he will not seek a Senate seat in 2010,” Shuler spokesman Andrew Whelan told The Asheville Citizen-Times.

“Conversations had definitely occurred with people throughout the state,” Whelan said in regard to whether the former NFL quarterback had been recruited to run against Burr.

“It’s difficult to see how this is not a setback for Senate Democrats, particularly as they’ve made clear they plan to target Sen. Burr,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Brian Walsh.

Shuler had shown his prowess as a House candidate in 2008, raising $1.6 million in his reelection romp over Republican physician Carl Mumpower. Shuler won that race with nearly 62 percent of the vote.

“The reality, though, is that Sen. Burr has worked incredibly hard representing his constituents, returning home regularly and raising his profile in the state the last four years,” Walsh added. “As a result, Sen. Burr finds himself in a very strong position as he moves into this election cycle.”