Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval will not run for the Senate in 2016, dashing Republicans’ hopes of nominating the popular chief executive to contend for the seat being vacated by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid.
Sandoval, a former federal judge, has cruised to victory twice in Nevada, a swing state that has seesawed back and forth between the parties. In 2014, Sandoval led the Silver State version of the national Republican wave to a victory so convincing it swept the GOP into full control of the legislature and all statewide constitutional offices.
The Hispanic chief executive has enjoyed broad voter support since taking residence in the governor’s mansion, making him the top choice of Republicans in Washington to run for Reid’s seat. The retirement of Reid, a shrewd Democrat who managed to win re-election in 2010, another wave year for the GOP, has provided Republicans with a rare opportunity to go on offense in Senate races in the 2016 election cycle.
“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,” Sandoval said in a statement issued Tuesday. “For these reasons, I will not seek the United States Senate seat that will be available in 2016.”
Still, Sandoval might have faced some political headwinds had he run. The governor pushed a contentious tax increase to fund public education through the legislature during the recent session, leaving some conservatives in Nevada grumbling. That, combined with his pro-choice position on abortion, could have drawn a primary challenge had he run for Senate. However, he was never really expected to run, despite the heavy recruiting pitch. He enjoys being governor and had sent subtle signals that he was unlikely to run.
Had Sandoval run and won, he would have had to give up the final two years of his gubernatorial term. Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., instrumental in trying to lure Sandoval into the race, said he supports the governor’s decision to remain in Carson City.
“I support Governor Sandoval’s difficult decision to not run for the United States Senate. Under his leadership, our state’s economy continues to experience the Nevada comeback that we all know it is capable of achieving,” Heller said in a statement. “While Governor Sandoval’s voice and experience would have been a welcomed addition here on Capitol Hill, I join the entire Nevada family in wishing him success for the duration of his term in office.”
