Rematch?

Will U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler face a rematch?

Word on the street in Washington, D.C., is that Republicans are trying to get former Rep. Charles Taylor to decide soon whether he wants to face off against the Waynesville Democrat for the 11th District Congressional seat.

Shuler trounced the powerful GOP stalwart Taylor in November. But Roll Call ($), a Capitol Hill newspaper, reports today that local Republicans want Taylor to make a decision soon so others can jump into the game if he doesn’t.

Republicans told Roll Call that Taylor’s experience, wealth and name recognition could bode well.

U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Cherryville Republican who holds the seat adjacent to Shuler’s, told Roll Call that local Republicans should wait a few months before pushing Taylor. "Having a full year to campaign is plenty," he said.

Others considering a challenge to Shuler, according to Roll Call: state Sen. Tom Apodaca, state Rep. Charles Thomas, Asheville City Council member Carl Mumpower and Henderson County District Attorney Jeff Hunt.