Born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Heath Shuler has gone from being a star on the football field and in the business community to become one of the fastest rising stars in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Heath was first elected to the U.S. House in 2006, winning a hard fought campaign against an eight-term incumbent, by pledging to represent the values of Western North Carolina. Speaking out strongly for the development of sustainable energy resources and against unfair trade agreements that send our jobs overseas, he was one of only two Democrats to defeat an incumbent in the South in 2006.

Prior to launching his first congressional bid, Heath was a successful small business owner and entrepreneur. He has first-hand knowledge of the challenges and rewards that go along with owning a business.

Recognizing his knowledge of the issues and commitment to helping other small business owners, Heath was named Chairman of the House Small Business Committee's Subcommittee on Rural Development, Entrepreneurship and Trade. As Chairman he has worked to cut taxes for small businesses, ensure that they are receiving equal access to federal contracts, and to increase investments in rural business development programs.  He sponsored H.R. 2352, the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009, which expands entrepreneurial development programs within the Small Business Administration to create jobs and provide entrepreneurs with the technical assistance and training necessary to manage a small business.  His legislation passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support, by a vote of 406 to 15.

Committed to balancing our nation's budget and reducing the national debt, Heath serves on the leadership team of the fiscally responsible Blue Dog Coalition.  As one of the largest and most influential caucuses in Congress, the Blue Dogs were successful in reinstituting statutory Pay-As-You-Go budgeting rules, which force Congress to manage its budget just like families and small businesses. He has also worked to bring long-awaited accountability and transparency to the budget and earmarking process.

Heath is also committed to being a good steward of God's creation and land conservation. In the U.S. House, he has been successful in guaranteeing an equitable settlement and much-needed resources for Swain County in exchange for the loss of their road decades ago, as well as in passing legislation that expanded the borders of Catawba Falls and protected valuable regional assets such as the Carl Sandburg Home and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

He is a member of Quail Unlimited and a charter member and spokesperson for the Friends of the Smokies.  A lifelong hunter, he is active with the National Rifle Association and raises Labrador Retrievers for field trialing.  He was the first national spokesperson for the Character Counts character development program and speaks regularly to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Many people also remember Heath’s exploits on the football field. He starred at Swain County High School, leading the Maroon Devils to three N.C. state championships and being named the N.C. High School Player of the Year. He continued his football career just over the Great Smoky Mountains at the University of Tennessee. During his three years at UT Heath set numerous passing records, was selected to multiple All-America teams, and was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year. He made the All-SEC Academic Team, was named NCAA Male Athlete of the Year, and in 1993, was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

Heath was drafted into the National Football League by the Washington Redskins and also played for the New Orleans Saints before an injury ended his professional football career.

After retiring from the NFL, Heath returned to the University of Tennessee and completed his education, graduating with a degree in Psychology.

Heath is married to Nikol Davis of Waynesville and they have two children, Navy and Island. The family belongs to Biltmore Baptist Church in Arden.