LAS VEGAS (AP) " Former state Assemblywoman Sharron Angle is exploring the possibility of running against U.S. Sen. Harry Reid in 2010.
The Reno Republican has sent a letter to past supporters seeking seed money for the potential campaign. Her goal is to raise $100,000 by May.
"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.
A four-term member of the Nevada Assembly, the 59-year-old Angle lost a 2006 primary race for the 2nd Congressional District seat, which fellow Republican Dean Heller eventually won.
She ran an unsuccessful 2008 primary race against state Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno.
In both races Angle positioned herself as the more conservative candidate. Angle also has tried for years to get a property tax limit into the Nevada Constitution. She has argued the cap needs constitutional protection because the Legislature could revoke its cap anytime it wished.
While she wasn't recruited by the state GOP or the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Angle said she hopes to talk to them if sufficient financial support materializes.
Nevada Republicans have failed to field a clear opponent against Reid so far.
Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki had talked about taking on Reid, a Democrat 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.
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," he said.
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Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com