A leader of the Blue Dog Democrats hangs it up

Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina, a leader of the conservative and mostly rural Blue Dog Democrats in the House, announced today that he would not run for re-election in his 11th District, which "was dramatically redrawn last year, removing the dependably Democratic heart of Asheville," reports John Boyle of that city's Citizen-Times. (C-T photo)

Shuler, a former quarterback for the University of Tennessee and the Washington Redskins, "is the 12th House Democrat to announce his retirement," notes Rachel Weiner of The Washington Post. "Another eight are running for other office, leaving 20 open seats for Democrats to defend. On the GOP side, seven lawmakers are retiring and seven are running for other office, for a total of 14 open seats." (Read more)