Reaction to Reid’s retirement announcement

Published Friday, March 27, 2015 | 7:53 a.m.

Updated Friday, March 27, 2015 | 12:54 p.m.

Reactions to Sen. Harry Reid's announcement that he would close his 30-year career in the Senate after his current term:

President Barack Obama:

"Harry Reid is a fighter. In his five terms as a U.S. Senator, Harry has fought for good jobs, a safer environment for our kids, and affordable health care for all. He's never backed down from a tough decision, or been afraid to choose what is right over what is easy. Time and time again, Harry stood up to special interests and made sure every one of his constituents had a voice in their nation's capital.

"Above all else, Harry has fought for the people of his beloved state of Nevada. The son of a miner and a maid from the tiny town of Searchlight, he never forgot where he came from, and he never stopped working to give everyone who works hard the same shot at success that he had.

"As the leader of the Senate Democrats during my time in office, Harry has become not only an ally, but a friend. I'm proud of all we have accomplished together, and I know the Senate will not be the same without him. I look forward to working with him to keep fighting for every American over the next two years, and Michelle and I wish him and Landra well in whatever the future holds."

Gov. Brian Sandoval

"From humble beginnings in Searchlight to the United States Senate, Senator Reid’s story is one that represents the Nevada and American dream. He is one of Nevada’s native sons, a pioneer of the West who has always worked tirelessly to fight for Nevadans with a gritty determination, a testament to his early years. Senator Reid has been an influential voice in Congress on behalf of Nevada’s interests, particularly on issues such as Yucca Mountain and renewable energy development. His service to Nevada as a State Legislator, Lieutenant Governor, Congressman, and Senator spans almost half a century and his legacy will last for generations. I would like to thank Senator Reid for his service to our state. I appreciate the opportunity to have worked closely with him to strengthen Nevada and remain committed to continue that work as he completes his final term."

Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev.

“I would like to thank Harry for his long and decorated career in public service. He served Nevada with distinction in both local and state government before coming to Capitol Hill and representing the concerns of Nevadans as both a member of the House and the Senate. Throughout his time on the Hill, there was never any doubt his actions always put the interests of the Silver State first.

“Harry's coming home to Nevada. I have no doubt his family is looking forward to catching up on lost time, especially the grandchildren. I look forward to working with him for the next 22 months.”

Rep. Dina Titus:

“Harry Reid changed the course of history, not just in Nevada but for the nation. His leadership on issues of health care and environmental protection has left legislative landmarks unlikely ever to be matched. The desert is blooming with solar plants, some 73,000 previously uninsured Nevadans now have coverage, and Tule Springs is protected, all thanks to Senator Reid. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with him over the years.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi:

“With Harry Reid’s decision to retire, Congress and our country will lose a patriot, pioneer and one of the greatest leaders the Senate has ever known. Senator Reid is a master of the Senate, a reliable fighter for America’s hard-working families, a legislator whose leadership stretches back more than three decades.

“From his earliest days in the House to his tenure as Democratic leader in the Senate, Harry Reid never forgot the hard-working families of Nevada he is so proud to represent. He has brought their values, their pioneer spirit and their determination to the Congress, and he has been an unsurpassed champion for the rights and opportunities of every American.

“It has been my great honor to call Senator Reid a dear and trusted friend for so many years. More so, I have been privileged to work with him in enacting historic and consequential legislation for our country.

“In the darkest days of the financial calamity, we worked together to pass the legislation that rescued our economy. We worked to pass the landmark Dodd-Frank consumer Wall Street reform bill, the most significant consumer financial reforms in a generation. We passed the Affordable Care Act and ensured that, in the United States of America, affordable, quality health care is the right of every American, not the privilege of the few.

“Senator Reid leaves a historic legacy of strength and achievement on behalf of the American people. He has helped to dramatically expand American investments in clean energy, passed bold and comprehensive immigration reform through the Senate, championed the Violence Against Women Act, and welcomed a record-breaking generation of new women senators.

“His leadership and ability command respect on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers of Congress. Without question, Senator Reid’s departure is an irreplaceable loss for our entire country. But as he announces his hard-earned, well-deserved retirement, I wish him, his wife Landra, and the entire Reid family all the best in happy years ahead.”

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.:

"Harry Reid is one of the ablest leaders of the Senate Democratic caucus in modern history — he has served our country and the people of Nevada with a tenacity and passion rarely seen. The former boxer from Searchlight never forgot his roots and never went down without a fight. He and Landra have been dear friends for more than 30 years, and it has been an honor to be part of his leadership team for the past decade. The Senate will miss his leadership and I will miss his friendship, but with the 114th Congress only just underway, Leader Reid and Senate Democrats have a lot of work to do on behalf of working families in this country. I will be by his side every day in that fight."

Brian Greenspun, CEO, publisher and editor of the Greenspun Media Group:

"Senator Reid's contribution to the people of Nevada cannot be overstated. He is retiring from the Senate, where his impact will long be felt here in the Silver State. The full span of his career — from the very early days when as lieutenant governor he helped manage the important transition of Southern Nevada to a world-renowned tourist destination — will long be remembered and retold as a story of courage, intelligence and commitment to the people of Nevada."

Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority:

"Senator Reid has been a staunch supporter of the travel and tourism industry both here in Las Vegas and nationally. His support for our industry — and the state of Nevada as a whole — has boosted the profile of both and led to great successes for us all. I would like to thank Senator Reid for his unwavering support of our industry and wish him and his family the best in the future."

The Nevada State Democratic Party:

“Harry Reid has been the most effective fighter the state of Nevada has ever had in the United States Senate. Just as he isn’t done fighting for Nevada’s middle class for these next two years in the United States Senate, Harry Reid isn’t done fighting to elect Democrats across Nevada who will stand up for Nevadans struggling to put food on the table and a roof over their children’s heads. With Senator Reid’s help, we will hold this Senate seat, we will win back seats in our congressional delegation, and we will take back both chambers of the state legislature and end Carson City Republicans’ attacks on the paychecks of middle class families."

Nick Phillips, political director for the Clark County Republican Party:

"After 30 years in congress, Senator Reid has made the right choice by not running for another term. With an economy that is still recovering, it is vital to give Nevadans true change in Washington by electing a senator who has their best interest at heart, not their own. The Clark County Republican Party will continue to work hard to elect the best qualified candidate, while Democrats in Nevada continue their struggle to find candidates who will continue the same path of failed policies and broken promises."​

Democratic Senate Campaign Committee Chair Jon Tester:

"Harry Reid's legacy in the Senate has cemented his place in the halls of history, and I am proud to call him both a colleague and a friend. As the longest serving member of Congress from Nevada, a tireless advocate for his state, and the leader of the Democratic Party in the Senate he has never backed away from a fight when the lives of middle class families were on the line, and our country is better for his leadership. I wish him and Landra all the best as they begin this new chapter in their lives."

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez::

“From his roots in a mining community, to the boxing ring, to his work as an officer with the Capitol Police, to the top position in the United States Senate, few public servants in America embody the values of hard work, humility and sacrifice better than Senator Harry Reid.

“Over a career that has spanned nearly half a century, Sen. Reid has been an unwavering, authoritative voice on behalf of middle-class working families. The state of Nevada has been fortunate to have a leader of such grit and integrity fighting for its interests. Whether it’s education, health care, renewable energy, immigration or any number of issues, the entire nation has benefitted from his body of work in the Senate, where he has been both a man of principle and a pragmatic consensus-builder.

“I have been grateful for Sen. Reid’s partnership and his support for the Labor Department’s mission. I wish him the very best in this next chapter of his life.”

Americans United for Change:

“Of Senator Reid’s decades of selfless public service, we are proud to have fought alongside him over these last 10 years to advance progressive values in Congress. Time and again, we witnessed why they call him ‘Give ‘em Hell Harry.’ He brought a boxer’s mentality into every fight for the middle class."

National Republican Senate Committee Executive Director Ward Baker:

“On the verge of losing his own election and after losing the majority, Senator Harry Reid has decided to hang up his rusty spurs. Not only does Reid instantly become irrelevant and a lame duck, his retirement signals that there is no hope for the Democrats to regain control of the Senate. With the exception of Reid, every elected statewide official in Nevada is Republican and this race is the top pickup opportunity for the GOP.”

American Gaming Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman

"Senator Reid has been a tireless supporter of gaming who solidified Nevada and the industry’s significance across the country. From his earliest days as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission to his years in the United States Senate, Senator Reid has been a visionary for what could be possible. The people of Nevada have been fortunate to have an unmatched champion in Senator Reid, whose leadership and dedication will be missed.”

North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee

"Those are big shoes to fill. His stepping down sent a shockwave through local governments because he has done so much to help us. I don't know if anybody can ever fill his shoes.

"Senator Reid has been the largest public figure in the history of Nevada. I can't imagine where Nevada would be , what the population would be or what the prosperity of this state would be without him. It's unfathomable to consider what this state would have been without him."