IDK Unpopular but powerful with a potent political machine.
Sandoval could walk into the seat now.
From Jon Ralston
“DSCC: “There is a talented pool of Nevada Democrats who are ready to step up to the plate...” RalstonFact: Um, no.”
I agree, Reid is more dangerous than that female AG or anyone else that the RATs may run. 2014 showed what can happen to Democrats in NV when Harry doesn’t turn on his electoral machine. Democrats got trounced, with GOP candidates winning races that they had no business winning.
The seat is Sandoval’s for the taking now, and I think that he’ll take it now. Sandoval probably wanted to avoid a bruising battle, which is why he kept mum on his intentions, but with Reid out of the picture he knows that the Democrats won’t run very hard against him.
Sandoval can become a Senator for as long as he wishes if he runs next year, while if he stays as Governor he’ll be out of office and in the private sector in 2019 with no chance of ever becoming President (he’s “pro-choice” on abortion, and no “pro-choice” candidate has won even one GOP presidential primary or caucus, much less the nomination, since incumbent President Ford in 1976). So what’s Sandoval’s long-term aspiration, SCOTUS? (He’s a former federal judge.) Being elected to the Senate and becoming a force in the Senate Judiciary Committee would be his only possible road to SCOTUS (not that I would support him for SCOTUS given his views on abortion). I think that running for the Senate next year should be a no-brainer for Sandoval. And, given the proclivities of NV voters, I would prefer that he run and pick up the seat, despite his stance on abortion. since he’d be good on other issues and at least would vote against public funding of abortion (and maybe for a 20-week ban).