Raggio backs Harry Reid

Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno, regarded as the most powerful and respected Republican in Nevada, announced Thursday he will support Democrat Harry Reid over Sharron Angle in the closely contested U.S. Senate race.

In an open letter, Raggio slammed Angle's legislative record and what he referred to as her extreme positions on the issues.

He also mentioned Angle's negative campaign against him for the Nevada Senate seat, saying she distorted his record, calling him a liar and a RINO (Republican In Name Only.)

"I never heard one word from her, or a concession, or an offer of support," he wrote. "Instead, she lent aid and comfort to an effort to recall me as state senator."

He said he was willing to put those issues behind him.

"What is difficult to overlook is her record of being totally ineffective as a four-term assemblywoman, her inability or unwillingness to work with others, even within her own party, and her extreme positions on issues such as Medicare, Social Security, education, veterans affairs and many others," he wrote.

Raggio said his natural desire to endorse a Republican for U.S. Senate was eliminated this past week when Angle, in her conversation with Tea Party candidate Scott Ashjian, "expressed her true feelings by slamming and disavowing the Republican Party, saying it had 'lost its standards and principles.'"

For all those reasons, Raggio said he can't support Angle.

"We need someone in the U.S. Senate who can be effective, work with others and best represent the interests of our state," Raggio said.

He made clear he is not happy with Reid's support of liberal issues but Reid asked for his support and, after talking with the senator, he believes Reid "understands that he must vote more strongly to represent the views of his Nevada constituency in the future rather than a liberal agenda which many feel drifts toward socialism in America."

"With that caveat, I will reluctantly vote for Sen. Reid's re-election," Raggio said.

He concluded his letter saying he believes most people "are disgusted with negative campaigning and would like to see civility restored to the political process with both parties working together and seeking responsible compromises in difficult and complex issues."

Sen. Reid responding to Raggio's endorsement said, "I am honored to have the support of Senator Bill Raggio, a man I deeply respect not only for his commitment to public service, but his love for this state," said Reid. "Senator Raggio's strength as a leader stems from his fierce advocacy for Northern Nevada and his willingness to get things done regardless of which party occupies the Governor's Mansion or controls the state Legislature..

Raggio has served 38 years in the Nevada Senate, longer than anyone in history, including eight sessions as majority leader and several more as minority leader in the upper house. Over that time, he has developed a reputation for shrewdness and hard bargaining to protect his conservative philosophy. But he has periodically come under fire from the right wing for compromising on issues, including the need to raise taxes in the 2003 and 2009 sessions.

The 2011 session will be his last because of term limits.