Sandoval will decide soon whether to seek Reid’s seat

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval said Tuesday he will be announcing “very soon” his decision on whether he will run for Harry Reid’s U.S. Senate seat.

Sandoval said he had decided not to even consider his political options while the legislative session was underway. With its adjournment Monday, Sandoval said he will now make his plans known.

National Republican officials and U.S. Sen Dean Heller have called on Sandoval to seek the seat being vacated by Reid. Reid is backing former Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto as the Democratic nominee for the seat.

“There will be a decision forthcoming in the very near future,” Sandoval said. “I will let everyone know very soon.”

Sandoval reiterated his previous comment about his current position, saying it is the greatest job he could hope for. Sandoval was reelected to a second four-year term as governor in a landslide in November. But he will be termed out by 2018.

“I’m proud of what’s been accomplished and what we’ve done,” he said.

As to what is weighing on his decision, Sandoval said: “You think about your family. You think about your responsibilities in your current position.”

Sandoval said he has not been pressured to run, although there have been inquiries.

“I made it really clear that I wasn’t going to talk to anybody as long as the session was (going),” he said. “Frankly, I haven’t returned phone calls. I was focused on the session and the people have had a good outcome because of that.”

Sandoval said that he is giving some thought about the 2017 session already. With a tax policy in place, the next session should allow for a focus on priorities other than a “knock-down, drag-out” fight over the budget and taxes.

With Reid’s surprise announcement in March not to seek another term, the open seat has drawn a lot of attention from both Democrats and Republicans. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., recently announced she would not run for the seat but instead seek reelection.

Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., is considering a bid for the seat.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801