Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) announced on Friday that he will not seek a sixth term in office.
The announcement came as Reid recovers from an injury sustained during a workout in January and as Democrats are attempting to plot a route back into the majority next year.
Possible replacements at the top of Senate Democratic leadership include Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D., Ill.), conference vice chair Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), and conference secretary Patty Murray (D., Wash.).
Reid’s seat provides a pickup opportunity for Republicans, who are already noting that every other statewide elected official in Nevada is a Republican.
Gov. Brian Sandoval (R.) is the most talked-about potential Republican candidate, though attorney general Adam Laxalt’s name has also been floated.
Reid is expected to remain active in Democratic efforts to retake the upper chamber after Republicans swept into the majority in 2014. His Super PAC, Senate Majority PAC, is also expected to be a Democratic powerhouse during the 2016 cycle.
Allegations of cronyism have plagued Reid of late, as ethics watchdogs have criticized the Nevada powerbroker of steering subsidies and federal appointments to donors to his aides’ group.
He is also under scrutiny for expediting U.S. visas for a casino project in Las Vegas whose executives donated to his campaign and hired his son Rory to help them secure taxpayer financing.