Titus opts out of race for Senate

She teased us until the last minute, but Rep. Dina Titus finally made her “big announcement” today: She’s running for re-election, and not the U.S. Senate.

The email she sent to supporters didn’t give the secret away.

“After serious reflection, I have come to my decision,” the missive reads. “There are many reasons why I chose this path, but none more important than what is best for our great state. It has been an incredible honor to serve and represent the people of Nevada. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, but I know that there is still much work to be done. That’s why I’m pleased to announce today that I’m running…”

Running? For what? You have to click on a link, and sit through a 3-minute, 23-second video filled with real people talking about how Titus helped them before you finally hear her say this: “That’s why I’m running for re-election in Nevada’s 1st District and I’m asking for your help in this effort.”

The decision makes total sense: Titus represents a district that’s has more than twice as many Democrats as Republicans. In 2012, Rep. Shelley Berkley gave up the seat to challenge appointed incumbent Dean Heller, but lost in a close race. And former Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto has already announced her candidacy for the race, which means Titus would have faced a Democratic primary. (The matchup would have divided the base, especially since Titus has a more progressive voting record than does Masto.)

But Titus declined to take herself out of the race for weeks, unwilling to be overlooked by political kingmakers and pundits. She consistently refused to declare her intent, even after e-mailing out a fundraising pitch hinting at a “big announcement” that was clearly intended to suggest she was mulling a Senate bid.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, who holds the seat that Masto is seeking to fill, greeted the news today with praise for Titus, with whom he’s had a contentious relationship. (Titus defied Reid when she ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2006 and successfully for Congress in 2012.)

“Dina Titus has done a remarkable job representing Nevada in the House of Representatives and I know she will continue to do so for a long time,” Reid said in a statement. “Representing the 1st District, Dina will be able to gain crucial seniority on committees and ensure our small state has a voice on issues affecting us. She will continue the work she has done for decades: fiercely fighting for Nevada. She and [her husband] Tom [Wright] have been my friends for many years and I so appreciate their public service to our state and our country.”

The news must also come as a relief to Masto, who now can continue fundraising and preparing for her general-election race. Las Vegas Councilman Bob Beers has declared his candidacy, and other possible foes include state Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson, Rep. Joe Heck and Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison.