Senate's Harry Reid announces he won't seek re-election

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid announced today he will not run for another term in 2016, saying he wanted to focus on bringing Democrats back to power in the Senate rather than his own re-election.

Reid, 75, lost his role as majority leader — the Senate's top job — when November's elections swept the Republicans into control. He suffered a personal setback on New Year's Day, falling while exercising and suffering serious bruises and a lasting injury to his right eye.

In a statement, the Nevada Democrat said the recovery period gave him to think about his political future.

"We have to make sure that the Democrats take control of the Senate again," he said. "And I feel it is inappropriate for me to soak up all those resources on me when I could be devoting those resources to the caucus, and that's what I intend to do."

Reid, first elected to the Senate in 1986, was considered one of the most-vulnerable Democrats in a swing state. He turned back a challenge in 2010 and was sure to face an aggressive, big-money attack by Republicans if he ran again.

His announcement is expected to set in motion a scramble in the Senate's Democratic leadership lineup between his top two deputies, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois.