Sen. Dean Heller (above) and Majority Leader Harry Reid disagree on whether they will refrain from criticizing each other during Heller’s 2012 quest for a full term.
Despite signals from Reid that his political support for Heller’s Democratic opponent could be muted, there is ample reason to believe Reid will be an active behind-the-scenes player in the election. The Senate electoral map appears to favor the Republicans, and Reid’s bare four-seat majority hangs in the balance.
Democrats in Nevada and in Washington, D.C., said they expect the Majority Leader to fight hard to oust Heller and install a Democrat, presumably Rep. Shelley Berkley.
Democratic campaign operatives monitoring the Nevada race say that Reid has already been “extremely helpful” and that they expect him to work diligently behind the scenes to flip Heller’s seat. One Democratic strategist who has worked in the Silver State said Reid is cognizant that the race for Nevada Senate could determine whether he remains Majority Leader.
“There is no question that Shelley Berkley will have his full support,” the strategist said. “That being said, Sen. Reid is such a skilled politician that whoever ends up winning the race will believe that Sen. Reid did or did not do something important to bring about that outcome.”
The Berkley team is convinced that Reid is prepared to go to the mat to help her defeat Heller. Berkley has the support of the Democratic establishment, but she must first get through primary opponent Byron Georgiou, an attorney.
“Whatever he decides to do, he’s raised money for her and continues to have an integral role in what the state party does,” a source close to Berkley said. “The long arm of Harry Reid is definitely out there.”
Heller does not have a primary opponent, but that could change if the GOP base gets restless or is disappointed in their new Senator’s performance, or in his closeness to Reid.
Republican National Committeewoman Heidi Smith said the new Senator was wise not to agree to a pact.
The dynamics, she said, are different than with Reid and Ensign. Both Reid and Ensign are based in Las Vegas. But Reid is not as well-liked in the north, such as the Carson City area where Heller resides. That fact might not be lost on Reid and could be why he is pushing the narrative that he and Heller have agreed not to criticize each other.
“If Heller is smart — and I think he is — there will be no nonaggression pact. What good would it do him?” Smith said. “That Ensign nonaggression pact left most Republicans with a bad taste — it made him look weak and too close to Reid.”
Being seen as Reid’s friend is one way to hurt a Republican’s reputation, Smith added.
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
