North Carolina Highway 11

North Carolina Highway 11 (NC 11) is one of the longest North Carolina state highways. It runs north/south for about 193 miles (311 km) in the state.

Route description

With the exception of a stretch between Greenville and Kinston, most of NC 11 is largely a disused rural route. All other major sections are cosigned with more major U.S. Highways, including a stretch of US 421 near the southern terminus and US 13 north of Greenville. As a through route, US 258 or US 13 travel along the same general directions, but appear to be better maintained and closer to major population centers. The central segment is mostly four lanes and divided, although not controlled access.

History

NC 11 was one of North Carolina's original 1921 state highways. The original routing had it running from Bethel to Kenansville. A short extension north to Oak City was done around 1930 and rerouted in 1942. During the late 1960s/early 1970s, it was extended greatly to its current route.

North Carolina's 11th congressional district

North Carolina's 11th congressional district encompasses most of Western North Carolina. Starting in the 113th Congress, it is represented by Mark Meadows, a Republican. He replaced Democrat Heath Shuler, who retired in 2013. Shuler defeated 8-term Republican representative Charles H. Taylor in the 2006 midterm elections.

The 11th District was traditionally one of the most competitive congressional districts in North Carolina. This was largely because of the district's volatile politics. It was historically anchored by heavily Democratic Asheville. However, many of the city's suburbs are among the most conservative areas of North Carolina. The rest of the district was split between Democratic-leaning counties in the south and Republican-leaning counties in the north. Consequently, congressional races in this district have historically been very close and hard-fought.

However, in 2011 the district was re-drawn so that most of Asheville is now in the 10th district. It was replaced with some heavily Republican territory in the Foothills that had previously been in the 10th, making the 11th one of the most Republican districts in the South on paper. Shuler announced in February 2012 announced he would not seek a fourth term. In the 2012 election, the seat was won by Mark Meadows, a Republican.