Angle weighs run against Reid in ’10

Republican Sharron Angle, a former assemblywoman from Reno, is exploring the prospect of running against U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2010.

Angle sent a letter this week to a "couple thousand" of her past supporters seeking seed money for the potential campaign.

"I need to know what kind of support I have for a run like this. That's what the exploration is all about," Angle said in an interview. "I need to know what kind of strength I can rely on, and in the way the political world works, that comes mostly in the form of contributions."

Angle said she had been out of town since the letter went out and didn't know how much response it has ginned up. Her goal is to raise $100,000 by May.

A four-term member of the state Assembly, Angle, 59, ran unsuccessful primary races against Republican establishment candidates in 2006 and 2008. In 2006 she narrowly lost the nomination in the 2nd Congressional District to Rep. Dean Heller, and last year she failed to unseat state Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio. In both cases she positioned herself as the more conservative candidate.

Nevada Republicans have been frustrated by the lack of a clear opponent for Reid, a Democrat who would be considered vulnerable if he weren't running unopposed. Angle wasn't recruited by the state GOP or the National Republican Senatorial Committee, but she said she hopes to talk to them if she gets the commitments she's hoping for.

Reid campaign manager Brandon Hall said the senator was "focused on improving Nevada's economy" rather than the campaign.

"As senate majority leader, Senator Reid will continue to use his leadership position to do what's best for Nevada," Hall said.

Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki had talked about taking on Reid, who has raised about $7 million for his re-election. But Krolicki's candidate status has been uncertain since his indictment on felony charges of misappropriating state funds. The case is pending.

Angle said she considered running because supporters asked her to.

"I know that we need a conservative candidate to run against Harry Reid that's someone who can win, and they have to be credible -- someone who has a strong record of conservative values and that people trust," she said. "That's the main reason that people have asked me to explore this, and that's why I'm doing it."

Angle said she's ready to go ahead with her campaign as long as financial support materializes.

"I'm prepared to commit to it, but I need to see what the commitment is of people out there to getting rid of Harry Reid," she said. "When we have what we need to wage that campaign, then we'll make that declaration."

Contact reporter Molly Ball at mball@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.