(RALEIGH) -- The decision by 11th district Congressman Heath Shuler not to seek reelection wasn't a big surprise to Ran Coble, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research. Coble says Shuler likely would've faced competition in the Democratic primary after he voted with Republicans on several key issues.

Plus there were other factors. "They had redrawn his district and made it a more Republican district. Now, being a former pro football quarterback, that helps in terms of name recognition. He's got money and he might could've survived," he said.

Coble says the new redistricting maps have thrown things in a state of flux, so incumbents like Shuler, 9th district Congresswoman Sue Myrick and Orange County State Rep. Joe Hackney are opting to leave office.