Heath Shuler Runs (for Congress)

I traveled to North Carolina recently and followed former UT footballer Heath Shuler on the campaign trail. Heath is running for Congress in North Carolina's sprawling 11th Congressional District.
The district is where he grew up and now has returned to live after years in Knoxville where he built a successful real estate company. He came to Knoxville originally to play football for UT, then joined the NFL for a few years.
On our trip, we were with him as he worked the crowd at a Democratic hot dog rally in Transylvania County and later "pressed the flesh" at the "Mater Festival" in Canton.
Shuler, a Democrat, hopes to unseat 8 term Republican Congressman Charles Taylor, said to be one of the wealthiest members of Congress.
Despite his 16 years in office, Taylor is said to be vulnerable this year. He's been criticized for missing a key jobs bill vote, for blocking funding for a memorial to Flight 93 and been tied to Jack Abramhoff, helping him secure a 3-million dollar appropriation for an Ambramhoff client.
Shuler describes himself as a moderate. He's pro-life, pro-gun and says he wants to represent the working class people of his district, a district that has seen much of its textile industry disappear over the past decade.
Shuler says he grew up in a family where political talk was common. He says he's running for office because he wants to give back some of the success he's been given in life.
He's also running because Democrats see an opportunity for a young, good-looking former Quarterback to help take back the Congress. The day we were there taping our segments, a Washington DC- based writer was also following along.
Thursday night at 8 PM, 6 Sports Director Jim Wogan anchors his first Tennessee Tailgate Special of the season. My story on Heath is in the show.
We'll air another story on Heath as the November election draws closer.