Sandoval says he won’t run for U.S. Senate

By Cy Ryan

Published Tuesday, June 9, 2015 | 7:53 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, June 9, 2015 | 1:11 p.m.

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval said today he will not run for the U.S. Senate next year.

Sandoval issued a four-paragraph statement saying he loves his job as governor.

“My heart is in my responsibilities as governor and continuing to build the new Nevada,” he said.

The announcement ended speculation that he would enter the race for Senate to replace retiring Democrat Harry Reid.

So far, only Bob Beers of Las Vegas has announced he will seek the GOP nomination for Reid's Senate seat.

U.S Rep. Joe Heck, who represents suburban Las Vegas, is also a likely candidate. State Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson may also join the race now that Sandoval has left an open path to the seat for GOP candidates.

"We've given this a lot of thought; now that the governor has announced he is not running, we will give it additional consideration,” Heck said in a statement today. "I appreciate the outpouring of support and encouragement — we'll make an announcement very soon."

Now in his second term and coming off of a legislative session in which he accomplished his major goals, including passing a major tax increase to fund Nevada's underperforming public education system, Sandoval was a hot topic for Senate speculation.

His name recognition and network of supporters also led many pundits to expect the governor would be a favorite had he sought Reid's seat. But for months, allies of the governor said he was not interested in the position.

When Reid announced his retirement, he hand-selected Catherine Cortez Masto as the Democratic candidate to fill his seat. Cortez Masto was Sandoval's attorney general during his first term.

Sandoval, who has served in lawmaking role since the 1990s, is best characterized by his executive style of leadership. In the Senate, he would have been at the bottom of the list in terms of seniority and would have had to deal with the impasses that plague Washington politics.

Sandoval's decision also opens the doors to new speculation. He has been mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate, cabinet member or appointee to a federal district court or the U.S Supreme Court. Sandoval served in a Nevada federal court from 2005 to 2009 between his term as attorney general and his first term as governor.

In his statement today, Sandoval said: “My undivided attention must be devoted to being the best governor, husband and father I can be.”

He thanked U.S. Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and others who encouraged him to run and added he was looking forward to supporting the eventual Republican nominee.

Sandoval was elected to his second and final term in November.