His answer wasn’t exactly Shermanesque, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., indicated to his home-state press Wednesday that he intends to run for re-election in 2016.

“Sure, why not?” Reid, 73, responded to a question, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.

That’s certainly not the kind of statement that will halt questions about his political future, and Reid has years before he needs to make a decision.

The fifth-term senator refused to take further questions about a potential challenge from Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, who faces his own re-election trial in 2014.

“I like Brian Sandoval,” Reid said. “I think he is trying to do the right thing.”

Reid started his last re-election race as one of the most vulnerable senators of the 2010 cycle. But he defeated Sharron Angle, a favorite of tea party activists, by 6 points.