Republicans were unable to recruit a well-known challenger to Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) last cycle. But that is not likely to be the case in 2012, after a proposed Congressional map released last week indicated the western 11th district will become substantially more favorable to the GOP. ... Jeff Hunt, the district attorney for Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties, is considered the strongest candidate at this early point by key Republican operatives.