Former GOP Rep. Taylor Closes Out Campaign Account

Is former GOP Rep. Charles Taylor officially not running for re-election?

Taylor, who lost to Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C) last year, had been coy about his future plans, angering many of the GOP activists in the district. For a while, no GOP candidates announced, waiting for Taylor to decide whether to run again. Two leading Republican recruits opted not to run.

The Henderson County Republican Party even took down their website to protest Taylor’s indecision. (The only candidate to announce is Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower, who is seen as a long-shot candidate.)

But now Taylor officially has closed out his campaign account, and donated the remaining $4,132.39 to the Education and Research Consortium of Western North Carolina, Inc.

It now may be too late for other Republicans to decide to jump in.  If a viable challenger doesn't emerge soon, Shuler may be able to credit his former opponent for helping his re-election bid.