Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) surprised Capitol Hill and the state of Nevada last Friday when he announced that he would retire at the end of the 114th Congress. Mr. Reid quickly expressed support for former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto as his successor. This, even before Ms. Cortez Masto issued a statement of candidacy.
Presumably, it has been worked out behind the scenes that Cortez Masto is the preferred Democratic candidate. Rep. Dina Titus (D-N.V.-1) may enter the race as she described herself as “seriously considering” a bid for the Senate. Former Secretary of State Ross Miller (D), who lost the race for Attorney General last November to Republican Adam Laxalt, is yet another potential Democratic candidate.
With Mr. Reid off the 2016 ballot, this race is now a toss-up. Expect a renewed GOP push to recruit Gov. Brian Sandoval (who has expressed no interest in running), or Reps. Heck or Mark Amodei (R-N.V.-2) into the race.
For more information, please contact David Ashinoff at ashinoffd@agc.org or (202) 547-5013. Return to Top