The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) on Monday fired an opening salvo against a Democrat reportedly launching a bid to challenge Sen. Dean Heller Dean Arthur HellerOn The Trail: Democrats plan to hammer Trump on Social Security, Medicare Lobbying World Democrats spend big to put Senate in play MORE (R-Nev.) in 2018.

The NRCC slammed Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), saying her reported bid for Heller’s seat is “a long-shot.”

“Jacky Rosen would rather make a long-shot bid for statewide office than seek re-election in this seat Donald Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE won last year,” NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers said in a statement.





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“Republicans are continuing to actively recruit candidates in this competitive district who we’re confident will flip this seat back to Republican hands in 2018.”

Stiver’s statement comes after a Monday report in Politico cited sources saying Rosen will run for the Senate seat.

Heller, who is up for re-election in 2018, is considered the most endangered Republican next cycle. Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida Hillicon Valley: Productivity, fatigue, cybersecurity emerge as top concerns amid pandemic | Facebook critics launch alternative oversight board | Google to temporarily bar election ads after polls close Trump pledges to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, designate KKK a terrorist group in pitch to Black voters MORE won Nevada by 2 points in last year's presidential election.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) in a statement said Rosen’s reported plans to run confirm “to Nevadans the only reason she’s in elected office is to serve her own ambitions.”

“Rosen’s radical liberal stances might please her puppet-master Harry Reid Harry Mason ReidThe Supreme Court vacancy — yet another congressional food fight Trump seeks to turn around campaign with Supreme Court fight On The Trail: Battle over Ginsburg replacement threatens to break Senate MORE, but they will leave Nevadans worse off,” spokesman Michael McAdams said, referring to former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

--This report was updated at 10:34 p.m.