Rep. Dave Reichert (R) told Roll Call he’s still keeping his options open about running statewide in 2012 — either for governor or Senate — but hinted his next big race could be against Sen. Patty Murray (D) in 2016.

“What I’ve always said in my entire career, I always leave my options open,” Reichert said when questioned about 2012. “Whatever opportunities present themselves sometime in the future, then we make a decision.”

But Reichert, a survivor of several competitive races in his exurban Seattle House district, did not appear to be in a hurry to run for higher office, saying he’s in a “good spot” with his seniority on the Ways and Means Committee. He also hailed Attorney General Rob McKenna, the leading Republican to express interest in running for governor, as “an outstanding candidate” with a “great shot at winning.”

And as Republicans continue to hunt for a top-flight GOP challenger for Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) in 2012, Reichert suggested he might be eyeing another Senate race down the line against the current chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

“Who knows? In four years, Patty Murray is up, maybe that’s the route I go,” Reichert said.