Updated: 2:07 p.m.

Former Nevada Republican Party Chairwoman Sue Lowden made her 2010 campaign against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) official Thursday. Lowden stepped down from her state party post last month as she contemplated the race.

With recent polling showing his approval ratings in the mid-30-percent range, Reid has become an enticing target, and some Republicans on Capitol Hill privately admit that Lowden, who has some personal resources and experience in the state Legislature, is probably the best of the more than half dozen Republican candidates now in the race. Among those also running are state Sen. Mark Amodei, former state Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, attorney Chuck Kozak and businessman Danny Tarkanian.

In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Lowden criticized Reid as a leader of wasteful government spending.

“I think there is a big fear here in Nevada, across the country, but clearly here in Nevada, of a big government takeover of our lives, of our businesses,— Lowden said. “I think that is going to resonate in Nevada and I think throughout the country.—

Of Lowden, Reid said Thursday: “I like Sue Lowden. She in the past has been one of my supporters. I like her husband. She’s a credible candidate.—

Still, Reid suggested that the GOP primary would weaken her for general election matchup.