WASHINGTON (AP) _ Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is announcing he will not seek re-election to another term.
The 75-year-old Reid says in a statement issued by his office Friday that he wants to make sure Democrats regain control of the Senate next year and that it would be “inappropriate” for him to soak up campaign resources when he could be focusing on putting the Democrats back in power.
Reid also mentioned the Jan. 1 exercising accident that left him badly bruised and struggling to regain sight in his right eye.
He said the accident had given him time to think, and that his first concern should be the country, the Senate and the state of Nevada.
Reid was first elected to the Senate in 1986.
Reid released the following statement:
“When I was a boy, I dreamed of being an athlete. I listened to those baseball games on the radio, and I envisioned myself as a man out in center field at Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park in Boston. But the joy I’ve gotten with the work that I’ve done for the people of the state of Nevada has been just as fulfilling as if I had played center field at Yankee Stadium.
“I am going to be here for another 22 months, and you know what I’m going to be doing? The same thing I’ve done since I first came to the Senate.
“We have to make sure that the Democrats take control of the Senate again. And I feel it is inappropriate for me to soak up all those resources on me when I could be devoting those resources to the caucus, and that’s what I intend to do.
“Someone with my background, my upbringing, to have the experiences I’ve had is really a miracle. And I want you to know that I am so grateful for your invaluable support. I have done my best. I haven’t been perfect, but I’ve really tried my hardest to represent the people of the state of Nevada.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
