Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), who seriously considered running for governor in the wake of Gov. Beverly Perdue’s retirement announcement last week, has decided not to seek the statewide office.

The Blue Dog Democrat, who faces an uphill re-election fight in a western North Carolina district that was made more Republican in redistricting, said in a statement he was honored to be discussed for the office.

“I will not be running for governor of North Carolina in 2012,” he said in a statement. “It is an honor to even be discussed as a potential candidate for such an esteemed office, but now is not my time.”

The GOP-controlled state Legislature chopped most of the Democratic city of Asheville out of Shuler’s 11th district, leaving it the most Republican in the state. A competitive field of Republicans is vying to take on the three-term Congressman.

Shuler’s office said he is running for re-election in 2012. The filing deadline in North Carolina is Feb. 29.

Roll Call rates the 11th district race a Tossup..