This document summarizes the 2010 midterm Senate election in Nevada between incumbent Democrat Harry Reid and Republican challenger Sharron Angle. It provides biographical information on both candidates and outlines their positions on key issues like immigration, education, and the economy. The race is described as very close and negative. Key storylines discussed are Reid's experience versus Angle's Tea Party support, both candidates' high unfavorable ratings, and the possibility that Nevada voters could select "none of the above" as their choice.

1. Nevada Midterm Elections

2. Democrat Harry ReidIncumbent

3. Harry Reid’s BioBorn December 2, 1939 in Searchlight, NevadaFather was a minerGraduated from Utah State University and George Washington University Law SchoolMember of the Nevada Assembly (1969–1970)Lieutenant Governor of Nevada (1970–1974)Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission (1977–1981).Senate Majority Leader, Senate Democratic Leader, Senate Democratic Whip

4. Harry ReidCurrently seeking his 5th term in the SenateIn 2006 Reid co-sponsored the "Prevention First Amendment" with Hillary Clinton, which would fund abortion prevention efforts, such as giving women broader access to contraception.Believes marriage should be between a man and womanVoted in support of the 2003 invasion of Iraq2007 he voted in favor of “redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008”

5. Republican Sharron Angle

6. Sharron Angle’s BioBorn in Klamath Falls, Oregon on July 26, 1949Father owned a potato farm and was in the NavyBA in Fine Arts from University of Nevada-RenoWorked as a substitute teacher in public schoolsTaught art courses at Great Basin Community College Co-founded, administrated, and taught grades K-12 in a one-room Christian school of 24 students for two years. Tutored at Nye County Juvenile Justice for six years and operated the Tonopah Life Center (family-oriented fitness gym.)First elected in 1992 to the Nye County School Board of Trustees.1998 elected to the Nevada State Assembly -faithfully served until 2006 fighting for smaller government & lower taxes

7. Sharron AngleNarrowly lost the 2006 Nevada primaryEndorsements from:Tea Party ExpressConservative Talk Radio personality Mark LevinBelieves the U.S. Department of Education should be eliminatedSupports a ban to same-sex marriageThinks the U.S. should leave the UNSocial Security should be transitioned out

8. Facts about NevadaSize: 110,567 sq mi, 7th largestAlmost 80% is federally owned.Population: 2,643,085, 35th largestLeading Industry: TourismGambling taxes are a primary source of state revenueLargest cities:Las Vegas-591, 536Henderson-265,7905 Electoral VotesDivorce Capital of the worldNevada has voted for the winner in every presidential election since 1912, except in 1976 when it voted for Gerald Ford over Jimmy Carter.

9. Nevada’s CitizensDemographics:80.3% White8.3% Black1.5% American Indian and Alaska Native6.6% Asian.5% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 2.8% People reporting 2 or more races23.1% of household speak languages other than Enligsh80.7% are high school graduates18.2% have Bachelors Degrees or higherAverage Income: $53,964

10. Political HistoryThere is a noticeable divide between politics of northern and southern Nevada. The north has long maintained control of key positions in state government, even while the population of Southern Nevada is larger than the rest of the state combined.The north sees the growing south as becoming more influential and perhaps commanding majority rule.The south sees the north as the "old guard" trying to rule as an oligarchy. This has fostered some resentment, however, due to a term limit amendment passed by Nevada voters in 1994, and again in 1996, some of the north's hold over key positions will soon be forfeited to the south, leaving Northern Nevada with less power.

11. Political HistoryClark and Washoe counties, home to Las Vegas and Reno, respectively, have long dominated the state's politics. Between them, they cast 87% of Nevada's vote, and elect a substantial majority of the state legislature. The great majority of the state's elected officials are either from Las Vegas or Reno.As of June 2010, 43.10% of voters are Democratic, 35.33% are Republican, 15.84% are unaffiliated and 5.72% are minor parties.

12. Key Issues for NevadansThe economyJob Creation: the highest unemployment in the country (followed by Michigan). August jobless rate was 14.4%. This was the highest percentage ever since the Labor Department started tracking in 1976.Mortgage foreclosures: also leading the nation in this area.

13. Key IssuesImmigrationNevada leads the nation in the number of illegal aliens in the workforce. Almost a quarter of the population is of Hispanic origin.Reid supports policies such as the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors) Act.Angle supports conservative immigration policies—securing the borders, strict enforcement current laws.

14. Key IssuesEducationNevada has one of the highest high school dropout ratesAngle wants to eliminate the Dept. of Education, which she has referred to as unconstitutional. Believes money is better spent and decisions are better made at the State and local level.

15. Media Coverage:Possible vote for “none” “Nevada Senate race may hinge on vote for 'none of these candidates'” (Seattle Times)“With eight candidates and "none" on the ballot, [GOP strategist Ryan] Erwin said, Reid or Angle probably could eke out a victory with as little as 42 percent of the vote.” “'None' could be the kingmaker in Nevada Senate race” (LA Times)“Reid could benefit if enough people vote 'none,' a choice only in that state.”

16. Media Coverage:Nasty Campaigns“On Site Coverage: Broadcasters Winning Nevada Senate Race” (Credit Union Times)“The two campaigns are running back-to-back advertisements in a large number of time slots. The ads are almost all negative.” “Nevada: Senate Race Gets Nastier” (CQ) “In a campaign filled with negative ads, the Nevada Senate race has turned especially nasty this week.”“Reid, Angle seize on old gaffes in Nevada's Senate race” (LA Times) “Nevada's Senate candidates may have plenty to debate — namely, how to revive the state's annihilated tourism economy — but their race has partly played out in a time warp: Both campaigns have sparred over statements that are sometimes years old.”

17. Media Coverage:Angle as the tea party candidate (comparison to Christine O’Donnell) “Why Sharron Angle stands a better chance of victory than Christine O'Donnell.” (slate.com) “I was reminded of the early days after Sharron Angle's victory in Nevada. Democrats were happy to have an extreme candidate who wanted to phase out Social Security (she now favors privatization), abolish the Department of Education, and flirted with calling for armed resistance. But since mid-July, Angle has stayed even with Harry Reid.”

18. Media Coverage:The Candidates are Tied“POLITICAL POLL: Senate race in dead heat between Reid, Angle” (Las Vegas Review-Journal) “Race remains knotted with six weeks until election”“Angle, Reed Virtually Tied In Nevada Senate Race” (AllHeadlineNews.com)“Reid is statistically tied with his Republican challenger, 46 percent to 44 percent, according to a Mason-Dixon survey released by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The poll of registered voters has a margin of error of 4 points.

19. Media Coverage:Women and Hispanics“Reid’s Play for Women Voters Backfiring” (Frum Forum) “How can we have driven up Angle’s negatives among women to such stratospheric heights and lost their votes at the same time?” “Angle courts wary Hispanics in Nevada Senate race” (Associated Press) “Angle, a former state assemblywoman, boasted during her Republican primary race of opposing a state scholarship because it benefited students who were legal residents, but not citizens. She supports Arizona's Joe Arpaio, a conservative sheriff under federal investigation for potential civil rights violations.” “Angle's campaign, however, said it is not conceding the Hispanic vote. She is courting endorsements from Hispanic leaders and has plans to air Spanish-language ads.”

20. Key StorylinesReid is the face of partisan politics. First elected to the Senate in 1986. Seeking re-election for his fifth term. Trailing in almost every poll.Sharron Angle is backed by the Tea Party movement and has some very far Right positions, such as privatizing Social Security. Defeated two better known and more “establishment” Nevada Republicans, Sue Lowden and Danny Tarkanian.Angle does not have the campaign experience or the money that Reid has.

21. Key StorylinesProminent Nevada Republicans, such as the Mayor of Reno, have endorsed Reid.Unfavorable ratings of both candidates are high.After winning the GOP primary in June, Angle was leading Reid by as much as 11% in some polls.Nevada ballot allows voters to select “none of these candidates,” potentially eliminating the possibility of anti-Reid voters to cast their vote for Angle as protest.

22. Quotable quotesBoth Reid have Angle have been made a number of comments that have gotten them negative media attention.Angle made statements saying that, “You know, our Founding Fathers, they put that Second Amendment in there for a good reason and that was for the people to protect themselves against a tyrannical government. In fact Thomas Jefferson said it's good for a country to have a revolution every 20 years,” Angle said in an interview with Washington Post blogger Greg Sargent. "I hope that is not where we are going but if this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking toward those Second Amendment remedies…”Referred to the escrow account set up to pay victims of the BP oil spill a “slush fund.” Later clarified that this was an inappropriate term to use.Said Reid had “waterboarded” the economy.

23. Quotable QuotesReid: referred to Delaware Senate candidate Chris Coons (D) as “my pet.”Quoted in “Game Change,” a book about the 2008 election, as saying Barack Obama would be helped by being a “light-skinned” African-American “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.” Reid also apologized.Both candidates have used these comments against each other, running negative ads.