http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/237179-harry-reid-will-not-seek-reelectionMarch 27, 2015, 07:50 am
Harry Reid will not seek reelection
By David McCabe and Cameron Joseph
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced Friday morning he will not seek reelection.
His departure opens up a top swing seat and deprives Republicans of their hopes to take out the Democratic leeader.
"I have had time to ponder and to think," he said in a video released by his office, referring to his recent time off as a result of an injury. "We’ve got to be more concerned about the country, the Senate, the State of Nevada than us and as a result of that, I’m not going to run for reelection."
He tried to limit speculation that the departure was linked to the injuries he sustained to his face and ribs earlier this year that has left him with dark bruises on his face and wearing protective glasses.
"The decision they I’ve made has absolutely nothing to do with my injury, it has nothing to do with my being minority leader, and it certainly has nothing to do with my ability to be reelected, because the path to reelection is much easier than it probably has been any time that I’ve run for reelection,” he said.
Reid, however, did indicate that his decicion was, in part, motivated by political calculations, saying he didn't want to use resources that could help Democrats elsewhere in 2016 as they try to win back the Senate in a year where Republicans are largely on defense.
"We have to make sure that the Democrats take control of the Senate again. And I feel it is inappropriate for me to soak up all those resources on me when I could be devoting those resources to the caucus, and that’s what I intend to do," he said in the video.
The New York Times was the first to report on Reid's decision to retire from the Senate.
Reid's departure will draw to a close a long career in the upper chamber that began in 1986. He rose in the ranks of the Senate Democratic Caucus, eventually serving as majority leader from 2007 through this year.
When the Republicans took the Senate in last year's midterms, there was some speculation he might be replaced. But he prevailed, and was reelected to serve another term as the Democrat's leader.
Reid's vaunted political machine will likely rally around a candidate to replace him. Potential replacements include former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, who is close with Reid, and former Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller. Former Nevada Lieutenant Governor candidate Lucy Flores could also be in the mix.
On the GOP side, strategists continue to hope they can woo Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval into the race, though he's shown no interest in being senator and most think he won't run.
Nevada Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison and Nevada state Senate Leader Michael Roberson, both of whom are close to Sandoval, are viewed as potential establishment Republican candidates, while former Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki is also looking at the race. Las Vegas City Councilman Bob Beers, who's aligned with the Tea Party, is already running.
