Apodaca: No run against Shuler

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on September 4, 2007 - 3:45pm.
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State Sen. Tom Apodaca will not run for Congress.

The Hendersonville Republican said that he will not run against U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, a freshman Democrat considered vulnerable by some in the GOP, The Charlotte Observer reports.

"My family, friends and supporters have been wonderful in pressing me to run," Apodaca said in a prepared statement. "As of now, I'm in a position to do more for western North Carolina in Raleigh than I would be as part of Congress."

Apodaca also ruled out running for lieutenant governor, saying he would rather stay in the Senate.

Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower is also a possible candidate, as is former Rep. Charles Taylor, whom Shuler defeated in 2006.

Taylor has not announced whether he will run again, to the dismay of some Republican groups.

Update: Brevard District Attorney Jeff Hunt has also ruled out a run.

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Re: Apodaca: No run against Shuler

Submitted by FFC1304 on September 5, 2007 - 6:04am.

Dr. Mumpower says a Congressional run is not a prize he seeks. Or maybe he's pulling a Ferd Thompson and wants to be begged...We need Dr. Mumpower to become Mayor of Asheville! The Asheville citizens bucked statewide democrat control recently by demanding another vote for NONpartisan elections which the 'progressive democrats' dont like...it compromises their control. WNC has brought out the CULTURE of CORRUPTION that lurks within the democrat party across our once great state! How did NC EVER allow democrats to secure such a manipulative control over our towns and cities??? Democrat no longer means what you thought...

Strive to be smarter than a democrat!

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Bad news for DC Republicans, Good news for Raleigh Republicans

Submitted by Senate on September 4, 2007 - 4:30pm.

This is a major setback for Republican hopes of taking over the House. Apodaca had the highest name ID of any potential candidate, is a proven fundraiser at the State Senate level, and had the personal financial resources to make up any fundraising advantage the Democrats Union and Trial Lawyer money might create.

With Hunt also ruling out a run for Congress it looks more and more like Shuler/Taylor II which virtually assures Shuler of a second term.

Apodaca's return to the State Senate should help Republican efforts to take that body for the first time since 1896.

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