Tony Basilio, host of the The Edge radio program on WVLZ radio in Knoxville, TN, is reporting that Western North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler is considering taking a job as the athletic director of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he gained national attention as a top quarterback in the early 1990s.
The report comes as the Democratic congressman, who has represented the 11th district of WNC since 2007, faces an upcoming primary challenge from Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell ahead of the 2012 election. The lines and demographics of his district are also in question, as the first Republican N.C. General Assembly in 140 years prepares to release its redistricting plans on July 1.
Shuler's possible interest in the athletic director position has not yet been confirmed by Xpress. But what do you think? Despite his powerful position on the House Budget Committee, his national prominence in the wake of his failed attempt to be minority leader, and his fundraising prowess, does this seem like a job that Shuler would potentially find appealing enough to leave his congressional seat for? Do you think he's concerned that Bothwell could beat him in the primary and he's exploring his options? Or do you think he's concerned that the Republicans in the General Assembly might gerrymander his district to hurt his chances of reelection? (Some have speculated that Republicans will try to dilute Democratic voters in the 11th district by syphoning a slice of Asheville voters in to the more safely conservative 10th district, which is currently represented by Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry).
Please feel free to weigh in with any thoughts in the comment section below.
Here's some of the highlights from Basilio's blog posts:
The report comes as the Democratic congressman, who has represented the 11th district of WNC since 2007, faces an upcoming primary challenge from Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell ahead of the 2012 election. The lines and demographics of his district are also in question, as the first Republican N.C. General Assembly in 140 years prepares to release its redistricting plans on July 1.
Shuler's possible interest in the athletic director position has not yet been confirmed by Xpress. But what do you think? Despite his powerful position on the House Budget Committee, his national prominence in the wake of his failed attempt to be minority leader, and his fundraising prowess, does this seem like a job that Shuler would potentially find appealing enough to leave his congressional seat for? Do you think he's concerned that Bothwell could beat him in the primary and he's exploring his options? Or do you think he's concerned that the Republicans in the General Assembly might gerrymander his district to hurt his chances of reelection? (Some have speculated that Republicans will try to dilute Democratic voters in the 11th district by syphoning a slice of Asheville voters in to the more safely conservative 10th district, which is currently represented by Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry).
Please feel free to weigh in with any thoughts in the comment section below.
Here's some of the highlights from Basilio's blog posts:
June 27
Extremely solid sources (involved in the process) tell me that Heath was approached about the possibility of being AD @ UT right after Hamilton stepped down and he was receptive enough to do some personal due diligence.
From this end, Shuler has in the past 9 days gotten in touch with both Phillip Fulmer and Johnny Majors for the purpose of seeking permission/support. I was told last night that both leaders of UT faction families have given their verbal blessings to their former quarterback in seeking the UT AD post.
From where I sit, this would be a real home-run. He's a guy who could unify the fan base and would we excellent from a fund raising capacity. He's also got a tough, competitive side and would demand excellence that has slipped from UT's programs in recent years.
I understand that Shuler has expressed the desire for a couple of concessions if he were to leave the US Congress to do this. One thing Shuler wants in a long-term contract that I've been told is in the 7+ year range.
When this breaks today, expect him and UT to deny this but believe me, he's very much in play. Will it happen? Stay tuned.
June 28
Wasn't it interesting that people were talking Heath Shuler yesterday after it broke in this space that he was in play for UT's vacant Athletics Director position?
Yes, Shuler is in play. Yes he did call Phillip Fulmer and Johnny Majors to get their thoughts on this potential opportunity but he hasn't been offered the job. In fact, Tennessee hasn't 'offered' the job to anybody as of yet.
But, the memo here is don't count out Shuler. He's on the radar screen and anything can happen.
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What?! Not running for reelection? Who knew? / RT @MEBraden: Shuler is considering athletic director job at UT Knoxville #asheville #avlgov
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By timothypeck
06/29/2011
Tweet from RussBowenNews13: "Heath Shuler says he won't pursue UT AD job despite speculation #avlnews"
(9:34 pm 6/28/11)
By Jeff Fobes
06/29/2011
I'm just looking forward to a visit from that nice, polite Mr. McHenry (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America).
By sharpleycladd
06/29/2011
So, is Mr. Basillo playing Ben Bradlee to Shuler's President Johnson now?
By mat catastrophe
06/29/2011
I suppose a meathead jock turned turncoat politician would eventually figure out where his real talents might allow him to affect the most positive change. Good for you, Heath. Go win some college games.
By boatrocker
06/29/2011
Yes, Heath should leave politics ... please
By dpewen
06/29/2011
This cuts against what Russ Bowen was told: http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/06/shuler-up-for-a.php
By J
06/29/2011
The sooner we can get that no-talent jerk out of DC *again*, the better. He sucked when he was here in a Redskins uniform, and he's been a miserable failure as a legislator. Good riddance.
By AJM
06/29/2011
Bothwell responds:
http://www.mountainx.com/blogwire/2011/bothwell_responds_to_shulers_reported_interest_in_ut_knoxville_job
By Jake Frankel
06/30/2011
Thanks Jake ... I will vote for Cecil regardless ... can't stand Heath and I voted for him!
By dpewen
06/30/2011
Shuler is considering other employment because of the bigger story: the proposed Gerrymandering (redistricting) of his district, the 11th, which extracts most of Asheville and moves it to the 12 district. In other words, the more Democratic parts of the 11th district are being REMOVED so Shuler doesn't stand a chance of being re-elected. Most of Asheville will be lumped with the foothill counties: Polk, Cleveland, Catawba, Rutherford, Gaston.
If the redistricting goes through, Asheville and much of Buncombe County is hosed.
http://www.mountainx.com/news/2011/gops_proposed_congressional_districts_strip_asheville_from_the_11th
By David Lynch
07/04/2011