A native of Swain County and now a resident of Haywood County, Heath Shuler was elected to North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District in November 2006. The 11th District is comprised of the 15 westernmost counties in North Carolina: Buncombe, Clay, Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey.
Prior to launching his Congressional bid Congressman Shuler had been a successful entrepreneur and small business owner. He began a real estate brokerage firm and several other successful real estate companies.

That experience led to him being appointed Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship. He has used this position to also highlight the potential to develop rural economies through new “green energy” businesses. He also sponsored, and saw signed into law, the Small Energy Efficient Business Act. This legislation spurs investment in the production of alternative sources, such as biofuels, and the development of energy efficient technology by increasing investment in small producers.

He has also worked to have a major tax relief package signed into law to help our small businesses by extending Section 179 Small Business Expensing.

Congressman Shuler is also committed to protecting America’s working families. He advocated for raising the minimum wage and ending the unfair trade agreements that have shipped thousands of American jobs overseas. He is currently working to ensure that America’s trade agreements do not result in lost jobs and protect the environment and the rights of all workers.

Congressman Shuler is also a loyal member of the fiscally responsible Blue Dog Caucus, which works to end wasteful spending and to balance the budget. Upon entering the 110th Congress he helped lead the charge to restore common-sense PAYGO measures to the budget and install accountability and transparency over “earmarks.”

An avid hunter who raises and trains Labrador Retrievers for field trialing, Congressman Shuler is deeply devoted to land conservation, the protection of our National Parks and Forests, and American energy independence. For the past two years he has led the fight against proposals from the Administration to sell off thousands of acres of National Forest land.

Congressman Shuler is also widely known for his success on the football field. As a student-athlete at Swain County High School, he led the Maroon Devils to three North Carolina state championships and was named North Carolina High School Player of the year.

From Swain County it was a short trip over the Great Smoky Mountains to the University of Tennessee. While at UT Congressman Shuler set numerous passing records, was selected to multiple All-America teams, was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and NCAA Male Athlete of the Year, and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. Congressman Shuler went on to play in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints, before an injury ended his career. With his football days behind him, Congressman Shuler returned to the University of Tennessee and finished his degree.

Congressman Shuler married Nikol Davis of Waynesville and they have two children, Navy and Island. The family belongs to Biltmore Baptist Church. He has served as a charter member and spokesperson for the Friends of the Smokies, as National Spokesperson for Character Counts, and remains active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. 

Congressman Shuler’s committee assignments include:

The Committee on Small Business

• Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship, Chairman

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

• Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
• Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment

The Committee on Natural Resources

• Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands

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Congressman Shuler chairs a hearing in the Small Business Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship

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