Sandoval says he won’t run for Reid’s US Senate seat

[brooklynite]

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval announced Tuesday he will not run for Harry Reid’s U.S. Senate seat.

Sandoval made known his intentions to remain as governor, at least for now, following the conclusion of the 2015 legislative session on June 1.

In a statement, Sandoval said: “In 1984, Nevada Senator Paul Laxalt gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as a legislative intern in his office in Washington, D.C. Coming from humble beginnings, the experience changed my life and charted me on a path of public service. It never occurred to me then that I would someday have an opportunity to be a candidate for the United States Senate.

“I have said many times that it is an honor and a privilege to serve as Nevada’s chief executive and that I love my job. My heart is in my responsibilities as governor and continuing to build the New Nevada. My undivided attention must be devoted to being the best governor, husband and father I can be.

“For these reasons, I will not seek the United States Senate seat that will be available in 2016,” Sandoval said.

Read more: http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/elections/sandoval-says-he-won-t-run-reid-s-us-senate-seat

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Looking better for Catherine Cortez-Mastro.

[KamaAina]

1. Excellent news!

[StevieM]

2. Not at all surprising. He is considered a front-runner for the GOP vice-presidential nomination.

If he runs for Senate he takes himself out of contention for the VP job.

I think that the Republicans are likely to pick him, since he is Latino and from the swing state of Nevada. I hope Hillary (if she's the nominee) gives strong consideration to Julian Castro.

[Jim Lane]

3. This statement might make it harder for him to do that.

He didn't say something like "The Republican Party has many fine potential candidates so I don't think I'm needed in that race." Instead, he talked about remaining as Governor (for the term ending in January 2019) and, of course, devoting himself to his family. If he had an eye on the VP slot he might have worded his statement differently.

He certainly would have been a strong contender for the open Senate seat so this is good news for us.

[StevieM]

6. Yeah, but politicians always say things like that and then walk it back later.

They say something like: "Duty and country have called me to service. I did not seek this job....but I will not back down from the responsibility I have been asked to bear in order to restore our country to greatness."

[totodeinhere]

7. He can say whatever he wants to now but if offered the vice presidential nomination

everything goes out the window. It's the old "how can I refuse the opportunity to serve my country" thing.

[JI7]

11. politicians always say things like that

[Wellstone ruled]

4. With the end of our Nevada State legislative session,

Sandoval's hero points will go into the toilet once the State's low information voters figure out how their were screwed royally by their hero. 170 plus new laws and regs pasted by the TeaBillie rubber stamp legislature in this session. Yes,they did raise new revenue for needed Education and other Departmental needs,but it all comes on the backs of the working poor. Nothing new here,these people still believe the 1%ers are the job creators.

[Arkana]

5. Whoa.

This is...big. Now this is a likely hold rather than a Republican flip.

[totodeinhere]

8. This will probably mean a Joe Heck vs Dina Titus race. And unfortunately

if Titus couldn't even beat Jim Gibbons is a statewide race I think she will be an underdog against Congressman Heck.

[Arkana]

9. Titus isn't running...pretty sure she already said she wasn't.

Former Nevada AG Catherine Cortez-Masto, who has Reid's backing and the DNC's, is the most likely Democratic nominee, and she beat everyone in a head-to-head except Sandoval.

[totodeinhere]

10. You're right. She announced she won't run, probably in response to pressure from Reid.

n/t