Shuler says he won’t run for NC governor in 2012

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Another Democratic elected official has said no to running for North Carolina governor – this time US Rep. Heath Shuler.

The western North Carolina Congressman put out a statement Tuesday saying it was an honor to be discussed as a candidate but that now is not his time.

Shuler is a three-term House member planning to run for re-election in the refigured 11th District stretching from the foothills west to the Tennessee and Georgia borders. Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx said earlier Tuesday he would forego a statewide race this year.

Two Democrats already have entered the gubernatorial race – Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and state Rep. Bill Faison.

Gov. Bev Perdue announced last week she would not seek re-election.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)