Doctor drops out of GOP race for Reid’s Senate seat

Rural Nevada physician Robin Titus says she's dropping her campaign to challenge U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., but says reports she will support fellow Republican Sue Lowden are false.

Titus said today she raised less than $15,000 for her campaign so far, not enough to compete with Lowden, Las Vegas businessman Danny Tarkanian, investment banker John Chachas and others seeking to challenge Reid.

She says the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to allow corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts on political advertising made her campaign even less viable.

"I can't compete in that financial game, for sure," says Titus, a lifelong resident of Smith Valley, an area east of Highway 395 about 45 miles south of Minden-Gardnerville. "I'm not about to sell my soul to a corporation or special interests."

Titus was a longshot candidate from the time she announced, but impressed observers with her knowledge of the issues, particularly health care.

She says she was frustrated news of her dropping out was coupled with a false report she would support Lowden.

She has invited other candidates to Smith Valley to discuss the issues with voters and says she will support the eventual Republican nominee, be it Lowden or one of about eight others remaining in the Republican race.

But Titus says no one called her to ask her intentions and an e-mail circulated to political junkies stating she will endorse Lowden resulted in hard feelings and confusion by other candidates in the race.

"It has been very frustrating," Titus said. "I've been open and honest on this campaign from the start. I didn't deserve that."

She also said the suggestion she might challenge Assemblyman Tom Grady, R-Yerington, is mistaken.

"Tom Grady and I are personal friends. I've been his family doctor and for his children and grandchildren for 26 years," she said.

Titus, a first-time candidate, has attended candidate preparation classes and says she is considering running for office again in 2012.

When asked what she learned during her brief campaign for Senate she said, "I've learned that politics hasn't been all about being forthright."