That didn’t take long. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid’s announcement that he won’t seek re-election wasn’t even an hour old, and the battle for his seat began.
Reid, a Nevada Democrat, has rarely had an easy time winning election to the Senate. In 2010, he had a tough race against Republican Sharron Angle. He was no shoo-in in 2016, and insisted Friday that was not a factor in his decision.
Republicans argued otherwise Friday. “On the verge of losing his own election and after losing the majority, Senator Harry Reid has decided to hang up his rusty spur,” said Ward Baker, executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
“Not only does Reid instantly become irrelevant and a lame duck, his retirement signals that there is no hope for the Democrats to regain control of the Senate. With the exception of Reid, every elected statewide official in Nevada is Republican and this race is the top pickup opportunity for the GOP.”
Democrats of course saw things differently.
"There is a talented pool of Nevada Democrats who are ready to step up to the plate, and we will recruit a top-notch candidate in Nevada who will be successful in holding this seat in 2016,” said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Republicans now control 54 of the 100 Senate seats. They will defend 24 seats in 2016, while Democrats defend 10.