State Senator Reuben Kihuen (D-NV) has announced that he will drop out of the race for Nevada’s 1st Congressional District (CD1), which is currently held by Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) who is running for the US Senate.
Kihuen who recently attended last month’s State of the Union speech as the guest of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and appeared to have his favor over Kihuen’s Primary opponent former Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV). Kihuen was also set to have a Grand Opening for his Ruben Kihuen For Congress Headquarters, this Saturday February 11, 2012. So this is unexpected.
State Senator Ruben Kihuen released the following statement announcing his withdrawal from the race for Congressional District 1:
“I want to thank all the volunteers, voters, donors and other supporters who have supported me throughout this process, and this decision that I am announcing today. Unfortunately, the reality is that continuing my efforts to win in what would promise to be a resource draining primary at this time is not in the best interest for me, my family, my community and my party.
“Nevada has lived through the worst economic times in a generation. This year, our state will play a pivotal role in determining whether the United States stays on the path toward recovery by reelecting President Obama, or takes a sharp turn in a radical and dangerous direction.
“I will do everything I can to reelect President Obama and strengthen his hand by sending Democrats to the House and Senate, including Shelley Berkley, Steven Horsford, John Oceguera and Dina Titus. I will do all I can to encourage Latinos to make our voices heard through the electoral process—especially in November.
“For me, serving Nevada has always come first. I will continue to do that in the State Senate. We face a republican party that doesn’t understand the challenges people who live here confront every day. Nevadans need good-paying jobs – now. They need help staying in their homes – today. They need an economic plan that builds the diversified economy of Nevada’s future, starting yesterday. These challenges can’t wait. I’m going back to work on them tomorrow.”