Harry Reid's Legacy Looms Large Over Nevada Politics

New biography chronicles the late senator's outsized influence and the state's struggle to find direction without him

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new biography of the late Senator Harry Reid, titled "The Game Changer" by Jon Ralston, explores Reid's pivotal role in transforming Nevada into a political force and the challenges the state now faces without his leadership. The book details how Reid built a powerful political machine, cultivated key relationships, and helped make Nevada a swing state in presidential elections. However, it also examines Reid's flaws, including his use of unsubstantiated attacks against political rivals. Since Reid's passing in 2021, Nevada's politics have seemed rudderless, with the remnants of the "Reid Machine" struggling to maintain their influence.

Why it matters

Harry Reid's legacy looms large over Nevada politics, as he was instrumental in making the state a key battleground in national elections. His ability to build a formidable political organization and mobilize diverse constituencies, including the growing Latino vote, reshaped Nevada's political landscape. Understanding Reid's impact and the challenges the state faces without his guiding hand is crucial to comprehending the current state of Nevada politics.

The details

The book chronicles Reid's rise from humble beginnings in the town of Searchlight to becoming one of the most powerful figures in the U.S. Senate. It details how Reid built the "Reid Machine," a formidable political organization that focused on voter registration and turnout, and how he used this to transform Nevada into a swing state. The book also examines Reid's flaws, including his use of unsubstantiated attacks against political rivals, which foreshadowed the rise of the MAGA movement.

  • Reid was first elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1968 and served as the state's lieutenant governor from 1971-1975.
  • Reid lost a close U.S. Senate race against Paul Laxalt in 1974 before winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982.
  • Reid became Senate Majority Leader in 2007 and played a crucial role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2009.
  • Reid retired from the Senate in 2017 after serving for 34 years.
  • Reid passed away in 2021.

The players

Harry Reid

A former U.S. Senator from Nevada who served from 1987 to 2017 and played a pivotal role in shaping the state's political landscape.

Jon Ralston

A veteran Las Vegas journalist and the author of the new biography "The Game Changer: How Harry Reid Remade the Rules and Showed Democrats How to Fight."

Mike O'Callaghan

The former governor of Nevada who served as a mentor to Harry Reid and inspired him to join the Mormon church.

Sharron Angle

A little-known, far-right Republican candidate who ran against Harry Reid in the 2010 U.S. Senate race but was defeated by Reid's strong ground game.

Mitt Romney

The Republican presidential candidate in 2012 who was the target of unsubstantiated tax payment claims made by Harry Reid.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Reid's career can be seen like the fifteen marathons he ran—an endurance test where he worked harder and stayed longer than anyone else, always playing the long game.”

— Jon Ralston, Author of "The Game Changer" (The Nevada Independent)

“What Reid cared about was the acquisition of power and using it to the ends he saw were justified—for his country, his state, his family, his friends.”

— Jon Ralston, Author of "The Game Changer" (The Nevada Independent)

What’s next

The book's release has sparked renewed interest in Harry Reid's legacy and the future of Nevada politics. Analysts will be closely watching how the state's Democratic Party and the remnants of the "Reid Machine" navigate the post-Reid era.

The takeaway

Harry Reid's outsized influence on Nevada politics is undeniable, as he transformed the state into a crucial swing state and built a formidable political organization. However, his passing has left a void, and the state's politics seem to have lost some of their direction and momentum without his guiding hand. The new biography provides valuable insights into Reid's legacy and the challenges Nevada now faces in finding a new political identity.