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U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, a Charlotte Democrat, filed for an 11th term this morning.
Watt's filing ends speculation that he might join Charlotte Republican Rep. Sue Myrick in retiring after his current term.
At least two other N.C. members of Congress -- Democrats Heath Shuler and Brad Miller -- are also stepping down.
"The congressional districts are being contested in the courts and could very well be changed," Watt said in a statement. "This has already led some experienced members of our congressional delegation to announce that they will not seek reelection.
"We need experience and seniority to maintain the influence of our delegation and we need representatives who will continue to work for progress, not return to the same old rhetoric and policies that led to the mess we're trying to dig our country out of."
Watt, the delegation's longest-serving Democrat, trails only Republican Rep. Howard Coble of Greensboro in seniority. Coble is running for a 15th term.
