Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid to retire

Catalina Camia | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption What does Harry Reid's retirement mean for the Senate? Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid announced he will not seek re-election. Reporter Jon Ralston discusses the effect this may have on the political landscape.

WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat who has led his party's troops since 2005, announced Friday he will not seek re-election to a sixth term.

"My life's work has been to make Nevada and our nation better. Thank you for giving me that wonderful opportunity," he said on Twitter with a short video about his decision.

Reid, who suffered a nasty eye injury and broken bones in a New Year's Day workout accident, said in the video that he determined it was "inappropriate" for him to soak up the Democratic Party's resources in the 2016 elections if he sought a sixth term.

Reid, 75, said he's not leaving because of his injuries or a dissatisfaction about the Senate.

"I have had time to ponder and to think. We've got to be more concerned about the country, the Senate, the state of Nevada than ourselves," he said. "And as a result of that I'm not going to run for re-election."

Reid's exit could spark a battle to succeed him as Democratic leader. He immediately endorsed one of his deputies, New York Sen. Charles Schumer, during an interview with The Washington Post. Reid spokeswoman Kristen Orthman confirmed the endorsement to USA TODAY.

Schumer also won the support of Minority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois for Reid's job. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, also on Reid's leadership team, has not indicated whether she will run.

Showing off the combative streak that has been his signature as Democratic leader, Reid had a special message for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.: "Don't be too elated. I am going to be here for 22 months ... doing the same thing I've done since I first came to the Senate."

McConnell saluted his counterpart's tenacity and said he looked forward to having Reid in the Senate until the Nevadan's term ends January 2017.

"Underestimated often, his distinctive grit and determined focus nevertheless saw him through many challenges," McConnell said in a statement. "They continue to make him a formidable opponent today."

In his statement, President Obama praised Reid for his service to the nation and to Nevada, calling him "not only an ally but a friend."

"Harry Reid is a fighter. In his five terms as a U.S. senator, Harry has fought for good jobs, a safer environment for our kids and affordable health care for all," Obama said in a statement. "He's never backed down from a tough decision, or been afraid to choose what is right over what is easy."

Reid has pushed hard since Obama took office to pass the White House's agenda, including the Affordable Care Act, which the president signed into law in 2010. Reid also helped Obama carry Nevada, which has been trending Republican, in the 2008 and 2012 elections.

First elected to the Senate in 1986, Reid has fought to diversify the state's economy that's heavily dependent on tourism and gambling. He has helped bring federal dollars to the state to develop solar and geothermal energy projects.

He has been a champion of overhauling the nation's immigration laws, a reflection of both the Democratic Party's priorities and the growing clout of Latino voters in Nevada. Reid has also battled Republicans over efforts to cut the programs that benefit the poor, and used his tactical prowess and knowledge of Senate rules to block GOP initiatives from going anywhere during his tenure as Democratic leader.

"I'm proud of all we have accomplished together, and I know the Senate will not be the same without him," Obama said.

Reid's surprise decision will set off a fight for his Senate seat in Nevada. He was targeted by Tea Party activists in the 2010 election and defeated Sharron Angle in that race, but there were signs the 2016 election would not be an easy one for the former boxer and son of a miner from tiny Searchlight, Nev.

Republicans have been trying to urge Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, a rising GOP star and the state's first Hispanic governor, to enter the Senate race. Sandoval, who cruised to a second term last year, has said he is focused on Nevada's legislative session and so far had been resisting entreaties to run for Senate.

Reid immediately backed Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto, a former Nevada attorney general, as his successor to represent Nevada.

Republicans have a 54-46 majority in the Senate, which means Democrats need a net gain of fives seats in the 2016 elections to regain the majority they lost in the midterm elections. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, who leads the Senate Democratic campaign arm, vowed the Nevada seat will stay in the party's hands.

"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 Tester, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Ward Baker, executive director of the Senate GOP campaign arm, called the Nevada race a "top pickup opportunity for the GOP." He noted that every statewide official in Nevada is a Republican, with the exception of Reid.

"On the verge of losing his own election and after losing the majority, Senator Harry Reid has decided to hang up his rusty spurs," said Baker 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."

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