Krolicki: ‘I can beat Sen. Reid’

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki made his strongest statements to date about a possible challenge to U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., but stopped short of declaring himself a candidate.

Krolicki said the fact he won Clark County and "every precinct" in Washoe County during the 2006 election for lieutentant governor shows he is a strong statewide candidate, despite that Reid has raised more than $15 million and is expected to raise $10 million more to hold his seat.

"I believe I can beat Sen. Reid," Krolicki said. "We need someone who can win."

Krolicki, a Republican, says defeating what he called an "absurd political prosecution" by Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat, made him stronger.

"I'm a proven survivor of the most brutal partisan attack possible," said Krolicki of criminal charges related to a college savings fund program he oversaw.

No money was unaccounted for and the case was thrown out of court in December.

Krolicki has acknowledged for weeks he is considering a challenge to Reid, despite a crowded field of Republicans already campaigning that includes Las Vegas businessman Danny Tarkanian, casino owner and former Nevada GOP chairwoman Sue Lowden, conservative ideologue Sharron Angle and investment banker John Chachas.

"People are tired of the dark side of politics. I'm going to talk about issues," Krolicki said while discussing the prosecution and early negative campaigning in the Republican primary. "The sniping I currently see between some of the candidates is unappealing and disappointing."

He says he will make a decision within a few weeks when he has a better idea of potential financial, endorsement and staffing situations.