Danny Tarkanian, the son of famed University of Nevada Las Vegas former basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, on Monday will become the latest Republican to formally launch a 2010 challenge to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).“I am certainly not a Washington insider, but speaking just as a Nevadan, I’m very concerned about the direction Senator Reid is taking us in Washington,— Tarkanian said in a statement. “We simply cannot continue to allow our federal government to borrow, spend and bail out entire industries at the expense of future generations of Nevadans.—This is not Tarkanian’s first run for political office. In 2006, he lost a bid for Nevada secretary of state. He ran for state Senate in 2004 and lost but then filed a civil defamation lawsuit against his opponent. The suit was just recently settled when his opponent, state Sen. Mike Schneider (D), agreed to pay Tarkanian $150,000 in damages.Tarkanian is an attorney and Las Vegas real estate developer. His mother, Lois, is a Las Vegas city councilwoman. Despite his famous last name and political experience, he is not likely to be viewed as the favorite candidate of state or national GOP leaders.“I have no illusions about the difficult path ahead of me. But as I learned in my recent court fight against a powerful state Senator, sometimes you have to stand up for what is right. And sometimes when you speak truth to power, you can win,— Tarkanian said. “So without reservation I am committing myself to this cause — to fight for what is right for Nevadans. And I hope Republicans, Independents and Democrats will join me.—National Republicans have said that Reid is one of their top targets in 2010, but they have yet to recruit a top-tier challenger for the race. Tarkanian will become the seventh Republican to join the Senate fray. State Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, banker John Chachas, attorney Chuck Kozak and physician Robin Titus are already running, but none is considered a major threat to Reid. Polls have shown the Majority Leader is vulnerable if a credible challenger emerges. Many Republicans are still hopeful that Rep. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) will decide to enter the race, although the Congressman has not made any public moves toward doing so.