Harry Reid Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election, Then Issues Warning to Mitch McConnell

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced in a video Friday morning that he will retire at the end of his term and not seek re-election.

The liberal firebrand, who has led the Democrats in the Senate since 2005, said a recent eye injury and the loss of a Democratic majority were not factors in his decision.

"We have to make sure the Democrats take control of the Senate again and I felt it is inappropriate for me to soak up all those resources on me when I could be devoting those resources to the caucus," Reid said. "And that's what I intend to do."

[sharequote align="right"]"I haven't been perfect but I've really tried my hardest to represent the people in the state of Nevada."[/sharequote]

"The decision that I have made had absolutely nothing to do with my injury, it has nothing to do with my being minority leader, it certainly has nothing to do with my ability to be re-elected because the path to re-election is much easier than probably anytime that I've run for re-election," he added.

Reid also warned Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) not to be "too elated" as he will be in the Senate for another 22 months fighting the Republican agenda.

"My friend, Senator McConnell, don't be too elated," he said. "I'm going to be here for 22 months and you know what I'm going to be doing? The same thing I've done since I first came to the Senate."

The Nevada senator said it has been his honor to represent his state in the nation's capital.

"Someone of my background, my upbringing — to have the experience I have had is really a miracle and I want the people in the state of Nevada to know I've done my best," Reid said. "I haven't been perfect but I've really tried my hardest to represent the people in the state of Nevada."

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