Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., speaks during a news conference at his office in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Nov. 3. 2004. Reid discussed his decisive re-election win and his bid for Democratic minority leader after the defeat of longtime friend and colleague Sen. Tom Daschle in South Dakota.. (AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta)
Sen. Harry Reid formally entered the race Monday for his fifth six-year term in the U.S. Senate. His son Rory filed for governor Tuesday.
Both filed in Las Vegas.
As Senate majority leader, the highest position in federal government ever held by a Nevadan, Harry Reid has promised to bring more federal support to the state. He has already announced that Nevada will receive more "Hardest Hit Fund" dollars than any other state per capita. Those funds will help families who are upside down on their mortgages stay in their homes.
He said although the nation has made progress, preventing the recession from becoming a depression, "there is much work to be done."
"I want our state to not only recover but to thrive," he said.
Reid said his recent efforts include passing the jobs bill that will provide tax cuts to promote hiring and tax incentives to avoid further layoffs as well as money for infrastructure construction.
He said the recovery act legislation is pumping some $2.1 billion into Nevada to create or save jobs.
That includes more than $300 million he said will provide Nevada-based clean energy jobs.
The veteran Democrat faces the toughest challenge of his career with more than a dozen Republicans alone vying for the chance to challenge him in the general election.
Governor race
Rory Reid, currently chairman of the Clark County Commission, is regarded as the top contender for the Democratic nomination for governor.
He has said the recession will make the governor's race more about who has the vision to fix Nevada's economy than which party he or she represents.
"Pot holes aren't partisan," he said at one Northern Nevada stop. "The economy isn't partisan. It doesn't matter what your party. People want a job."
He has said he has that vision and the plans to make it happen.
The big primary fight, however, is on the Republican side where former federal judge and attorney general Brian Sandoval is challenging incumbent Jim Gibbons.
Sandoval has already filed. Gibbons plans to file Thursday.