nv_sen_REID
SEN. HARRY REID
Age: 58 Born: December 2, 1939 in Searchlight, Nevada Education: George Washington University, J.D. (1964); Utah State University, B.S. (1961); Southern Utah State College, A.S. (1959) Military: none Family: married - Langra; 5 children Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada Religion: Mormon Career: U.S. Senator (1986-present); U.S. House of Representatives (1982-86); Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman(1977-81); NV Lt. Governor (1970-74); NV Assembly (1968-70); Henderson, NV City Attorney (1964-66); Attorney (1969-82) |
· Incumbent Sen. Harry Reid is seeking his third term for the seat that he initially ran for in 1974. In that election, his opponent Republican Paul Laxalt defeated Reid by only 624 votes. When Laxalt retired in 1986, Reid ran again and defeated former Democrat turned Republican Rep. James Santini.
· In 1994, Reid considered running for Senate Minority Leader, but decided to back South Dakota Senator Thomas Daschle. Reid is already collecting commitments to succeed retiring Minority Whip Wendall Ford that is, of course if he is re-elected.
· ReidÂ's voting record follows a moderate-to-liberal track, although he is conservative on some social issues including abortion. He voted in favor of an override of ClintonÂ's late-term abortion veto. Yet he stuck with the party in support of the PresidentÂ's health care plan and crime bill, including the assault weapons ban.
· One challenge Reid faces in his re-election bid is attracting the attention of transplant Nevada residents. To introduce himself to the voters, who may have moved into the state since the 1992 election, Reid launched a $450,000 ad buy. The spots highlighted his legislative accomplishments, including his effort to kill a proposed permanent Nuclear Waste dump in Nevada
&midot; Reid is depending on a ballot measure, of particular interest to labor, to help him at the polls. The Payroll Protection Initiative allows union members to decide if their dues should be spent on political activities. For the more than 450,000 culinary workers in the Las Vegas area, this is a key issue.
· Senator Reid ranked 38th out of 535 on the 1994 list of the wealthiest members of Congress. His assets are estimated at about $3 Million - most of which is in Nevada real estate.