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Dean Heller Not Running for Governor of Nevada

Says via Facebook he plans to continue in the Senate

Sen. Dean Heller in front of the many keepsakes displayed in his Hart Building office (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Dean Heller in front of the many keepsakes displayed in his Hart Building office (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
By Niels Lesniewski
Posted December 29, 2016 at 3:26pm

Sen. Dean Heller has decided he would rather seek re-election in the Senate than run for governor of Nevada.

Heller, a Republican, is one of a small number of potentially vulnerable GOP incumbents on a map that looks tough for Democrats across the board.

“My family and I have put much thought and prayer in considering the best way to serve the state that we love. I believe serving and running for re-election as Nevada’s senior Senator is where I can do the most good and have the biggest impact for Nevada,” Heller posted on Facebook. “Serving as governor would be an enormous honor, but I am looking forward to being Nevada’s strongest voice on Capitol Hill.”

Popular Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval is term-limited, and Heller is a native of the Silver State’s capital of Carson City.

Nevada Democrats will likely still try to target Heller, given the current strength of their state party and electoral successes in 2016 despite what turned out to be a favorable environment for Republicans elsewhere in the country.

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