Harry Reid Won't Seek Re-Election In 2016

[OKNancy]

Source: TPM

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will not seek re-election in 2016, the New York Times reported Friday morning.

Reid told the Times that he had been considering retirement for a few months, and that neither his eye injury nor his new place in the Senate minority contributed to his decision.

"I want to be able to go out at the top of my game," he told the Times. "I don’t want to be a 42-year-old trying to become a designated hitter."

He also said he was concerned that running again would take money away from races in other states.

"I think it is unfair for me to be soaking up all the money to be re-elected with what we are doing in Maryland, in Pennsylvania, in Missouri, in Florida," Reid said. "These are big, expensive states."

Reid also announced his retirement in a video released Friday morning.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/harry-reid-no-re-election?utm_content=bufferf4aa3&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

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[bigwillq]

1. Good.

It's time for new leadership. Never was a huge Reid fan.

[still_one]

3. I hear you, however, there is a real danger that a tea party ignoramus could take that seat

especially for a state like Nevada

[Omaha Steve]

9. Had it not been for the unions in Vegas...

Harry would have lost in 2010. Phone calls, knocking on doors, ads, $, etc.

[still_one]

22. no question about it labor is critical for Democrats

[corkhead]

29. This time it's a POTUS year which bodes well for a Dem in this situation compared to 2010

[Android3.14]

2. Probably a good idea, but what's the leaning of the state

Has he been riding the incumbent express in a conservative state or will electing a Democrat be relatively straightforward?

It is time to bring in some new blood.

[FBaggins]

6. He would have lost last time...

... except the tea party handed it back to him with a truly awful candidate.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Just saw the Wapo breaking

Let's hope there is a good Democrat in there as that's a hard state to run in as a Dem.

[Calista241]

5. Going to be tough to retain this seat

Unless the Repubs run some tea party ignoramus again.

[Arkana]

7. Probably not. Governor Sandoval will run and most likely win

unless we can come up with someone who is equally attractive.

[HoosierCowboy]

11. The GOP is insane ..

...if they don't put Sandoval on the VP spot in 2016 to make up for their immigration stance. But of course, the GOP is insane.

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. Good.

Are people supposed to work forever?

[Demeter]

10. Thank God

Now I can stop praying for Divine Intervention

[liberal N proud]

12. Maybe someone with some backbone will lead the Dems.

[Action_Patrol]

26. You have Durbin and Schumer next up

Does that work for you?

[beerandjesus]

13. Let's hope the Democrats learned from the election of 2014...

...and run a candidate who's not ashamed to be a damn Democrat!!

[blkmusclmachine]

21. Democrats, learn. Hehe. They're paid NOT to "learn."

[freshwest]

14. Thanks for hanging in that hell hole so long. And still thinking of others. n/t

[OKNancy]

15. What logical person says good?

This will be a Republican pick-up. Another Senate seat lost.

[Historic NY]

16. With them dropping left & right this could turn the whole sheabang to the GOP....

more seats to defend.

[Dawson Leery]

23. CA and MD are NOT going to the Rethugs, especially in a Presidential election year.

[xynthee]

17. I can't see keeping this seat

Not good!!

[PumpkinAle]

18. NV has enough teathuglicans that it will turn

totally Red. In NV, just like other states, the repubs are decimating the legislature and the stupid sheep are cheering what they are doing.

I can only hope that throughout the country the republicans do enough damage with their archaic and asinine legislating that people will say "wtf".

Reid will be missed, but probably should have retired before now, though I can well understand why he didn't.

I wish him well and thank him for his service.

[MADem]

19. I am very sad about this--who could run/win in NV these days?

I take his point about other races, but damn, this is a hard loss for us.

[tomsaiditagain]

20. Peace out Mouseman

I know its a stretch, but I sure hope the democrats put someone with a fire in their belly in the leadership position when ole "Mouseman" heads on down the line.

Its way past time to match the repiglican fire, with fire.

[Dawson Leery]

24. Sandoval is pushing a massive tax increase.

He is far from certain to receive the GOP nomination.

[hrmjustin]

25. I doubt we will hold the sest but I understand why he had enough.

[840high]

27. Excellent news.

[jeff47]

28. Not really. Schumer's "next in line".

Reid didn't fight as hard as I would have liked, but Schumer fights like a dead fish.

Plus, it is very likely that the Republicans will pick up the seat - they've got a popular ex-Governor running for it, and we don't have any obvious successor. Reid was going to have a tough campaign. Whoever the Democratic nominee ends up being will have a very tough campaign.

[Corey_Baker08]

30. I Am Shocked, With So Many Democrats Not Seeking Re-Election, It's Likely We Won't Regain The Senate

First of all I would like to personally thank Harry Reid for his lifetime of public service & always fighting for the 99% and never giving up.

In the midst of the Bush Administration Senator Reid kept fighting the good fight. In 2006 as Democrats took control of the Senate, s high and well deserved honor was bestowed upon him when his colleagues elected him Senate Majority Leader.

While I have never been a man of few words I say this as simply as I know how, THANK-YOU SENATOR HARRY REID FOR YOUR DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE & THANK-YOU FOR BEING A GREAT MEMBER & AN EXTRAORDINARY MAJORITY LEADER FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!!!

I can't see a Democrat picking Up Senator Reid's seat, especially in a red state such as Nevada.

We have an opportunity to pick up a seat in Indiana with the retirement of Dan Coats, however as a native Hoosier the only Democrat who has broad support across the political spectrum is Evan Bath who would no doubt win the seat.

As a resident and someone who works for the Ohio Democratic Party we have a chance to pick up another seat in Ohio as Former Governor Ted Strickland is challenging Senator Rob Portman. Sent Portman has lost a lot of Republican support after his son came out as being gay & Senator Portman has announced that his position on gay marriage has evolved & he now supports gay marriage & equal rights for gay men and women. Also Ted Strickland is a well known & well respected person across the state with political support from across the spectrum here in the Buckeye State.