RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler is considering a run for speaker of the U.S. House if he's re-elected and says the chamber needs a more moderate leader.
The Democratic lawmaker said in an interview Thursday he will run against current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if there are no viable alternatives. He says a more moderate leader would help bring both parties together.
Shuler may not get the chance, though, if Republicans gain control of the House next week. And the former University of Tennessee football star is locked in his own re-election battle, facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in ads that accuse him of working for Pelosi's agenda.
Shuler has voted against some key pieces of the Democratic agenda.
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