Reid poised to take over as Democratic whip

Monday, Nov. 30, 1998 | 10:59 a.m.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said today he's looking forward to being elected Democratic whip on Tuesday and stepping up his presence on Capitol Hill.

"This is a rare opportunity for Nevada," Reid told the Sun. "I will be in a position to be involved in all things that take place in Washington."

Reid has no opposition in Tuesday's vote to elect the second most powerful Democrat in the Senate.

Once elected, Reid will be the highest ranking senator in Nevada history.

Retiring Democratic Whip Wendell Ford of Kentucky said Reid's election will give Nevada a "seat at the table" in the nation's capital.

"I have no problem giving the keys to my office to Harry," Ford said from Washington Sunday. "He gets things done and does them well."

Ford, who's leaving the Senate and giving up the leadership position he's held the past six years, said Reid isn't "flashy" when conducting business on the Hill.

"He's not a show horse. He's a work horse," Ford said. "That's why everybody likes Harry."

Ford said Reid works well with both Democrats and Republicans, which will make him an ideal leader.

President Clinton once called Reid the most underrated elected official in Washington.

Nevada Gov. Bob Miller, who retires at the end of the year, said having Reid in the whip's post will be an "incalculable" benefit to the state.

"It keeps Nevada's presence in front of the Congress and the president," Miller said. "They will always have Nevada on their minds."

Miller said the state will have stepped-up clout in the high-level nuclear waste fight and other key issues relating to transportation and gaming.

"The possibilities are almost endless," the governor said.

Democrats meet behind closed doors at 11 a.m. Washington time on Tuesday to elect Reid and the other two members of their leadership team. Both Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Secretary Barbara Mikulski of Maryland are expected to be re-elected easily.

Reid said the uncertainty over his narrow re-election in Nevada hasn't dampened his spirits in Washington.

Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., who lost to Reid by 401 votes, was to announce today whether he would seek a recount.

"I don't know of one recount that has changed a congressional race," Reid said. "Obviously, they're electing me here, so no one must be concerned. I wish all my elections were this easy."

Reid said 42 of the Senates 45 Democrats are supporting him in the whip's race.

Reid's longtime friend, Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii will nominate him Tuesday, and Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota will second the nomination.

After the election, Reid expects to spend most of his time at the Capitol Building. He will get an office there and a half-dozen more staffers.

Reid also plans to keep his legislative office on the Hill.

The senator is looking at major staff changes in Washington and Nevada in the wake of his new leadership duties and the departure of his longtime chief of staff Reynaldo Martinez.

In Nevada, Reid is considering hiring for the first time ever a state director to coordinate his offices in Las Vegas, Reno and Carson City.

He reportedly has narrowed down his choice to run his Las Vegas office to the daughters of two well-known former politicians. Erin Bilbray, the daughter of former Rep. James Bilbray, D-Nev., and Teresa Duke, the daughter of former Gov. Mike O'Callaghan, are said to be on his short list.