Veteran Nevada senator calls it a day
News on 27 Mar 2015
News on 27 Mar 2015
Veteran Democratic Party Nevada Senator Harry Reid, a central figure in many legislative debates and developments regarding online gambling over the years, has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2016.
The Senate minority leader has been associated with gambling for decades and was at one time lieutenant governor of Nevada and chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission.
When it came to internet gambling Reid worked for a federal legalisation of online poker that benefitted his home state, but resolutely opposed internet casino or sports betting activity.
Geoff Freeman, CEO of the American Gaming Association, paid tribute to Reid Friday, saying:
“The people of Nevada have been fortunate to have an unmatched champion in Senator Reid, whose leadership and dedication will be missed.”
Reid has denied recent allegations of questionable political involvement with the Department of Homeland Security in a multi-million dollar visa and investment affair that was aired by Breitbart earlier this week.
Reid received more than $444,000 from individuals and political action committees in the casino and gambling industry during the 2014 election cycle, according to records compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.
It’s early days, but the Washington DC rumour mill is speculating that New York Senator Chuck Schumer is a likely successor to Reid, who has led the Senate Democrats since 2005. Insiders have leaked the news to US news channel CNN that Reid has already endorsed Schumer to take over from him.
Another name being speculated on is Sen. Dick Durbin from Illinois, who is currently the Senate Democrats’ whip and the party’s No. 2 leader in the chamber, and is thought to have ambitions.
