Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Senator’s son makes bid for seat on commission

His name for months has been tied to the soon-to-be vacant Clark County Commission District G seat, but Rory Reid made it official Wednesday when he formally announced his plans to replace Dario Herrera.

Reid, like his father, Senate Majority Whip Harry Reid, has been involved in politics for years and in 2000 took over chairmanship of the Nevada Democratic Party.

His bid for Herrera's seat, which becomes vacant in November 2002, began in June, when he gave up the party chairmanship to concentrate on the commission race.

Tuesday night a Reid fund-raiser co-hosted by Herrera held at Southern Highlands Golf Course raked in about $70,000. Reid has now collected more than $400,000 in his first bid for public office.

He also has tapped political consultant Dan Hart and fund-raising guru Amy Ayoub to work on his campaign.

But even though most politicos consider Reid a shoo-in, the candidate said he'll assume nothing.

"Political campaigns aren't a place where assumptions are safe," the 39-year-old Reid said. "All I will do is keep my head down and my legs moving for the next 14 months."

Tuesday's fund-raising event, attended by leading gamers, developers, former Gov. Bob Miller and former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, was Reid's first public push to fill the commission seat.

"I've worked really hard," said Reid, an attorney with Lionel Sawyer & Collins. "What has been encouraging to me is the support I get when I explain my vision for the county."

The growing war chest, coupled with his father's proven campaigning, give Rory Reid a powerful start designed to ward off potential competition.

Reid said Wednesday he knows of no opponents for the seat.

Reid and Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, were both named as viable Democratic successors to Herrera, who opted not to run for re-election so he can pursue a newly created third congressional seat.

When Titus dropped her name from consideration, Reid easily became the party's favorite.

"I think Rory has a good disposition about him," Herrera said. "He's deliberate in his thought process, and his approach will be good for the commission."

For those government watchdogs questioning why Reid would be willing to take a seat on a board that often is plagued with personality conflicts, Reid insists it is not because he aspires to higher office.

Reid said he grew up in Las Vegas and wants his three children to have the same positive experience that he had.

"I'm a parent who grew up in this town and enjoyed my childhood here," Reid said. "I don't think people generally understand the Clark County Commission has more to do with the quality of life than any other body in the state."

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