Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced Friday morning he will not seek reelection.
His departure opens up a top swing seat and deprives Republicans of their hopes to take out the Democratic leader.
“I have had time to ponder and to think,” he said in a video released by his office, referring to his recent time off as a result of an injury. “We’ve got to be more concerned about the country, the Senate, the State of Nevada than us and as a result of that, I’m not going to run for reelection.”
He tried to limit speculation that the departure was linked to the injuries he sustained to his face and ribs earlier this year that has left him with dark bruises on his face and wearing protective glasses.
“The decision they I’ve made has absolutely nothing to do with my injury, it has nothing to do with my being minority leader, and it certainly has nothing to do with my ability to be reelected, because the path to reelection is much easier than it probably has been any time that I’ve run for reelection,” he said.
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