Cecil Bothwell, who announced his congressional bid in March, will not run as an Independent but instead run in the 2012 Democratic primary.

“I’ve heard from hundreds of people, from Western North Carolina to Washington, D.C., who believe the most likely path to success is up the middle instead of trying for an end-run,” Bothwell said in explanation. “Groups are smarter than individuals, and I’m following advice gleaned from a wide network of friends and supporters.”

Bothwell is challenging incumbent Congressman Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville. Some political experts believed Bothwell could potentially erode Shuler’s Democratic base by running as an Independent, making for a tough re-election bid for the three-term congressman.

Bothwell is a former editor for the Asheville-based newspaper Mountain Xpress and is currently an Asheville city councilmember.