Nevada special-election battle might head to court

A spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee on Monday called the decision a “blatantly partisan ruling from Harry Reid’s political machine” that will lead to “what will surely be a long and drawn-out process.”

Along with Nevada Republican Sharron Angle, who likely benefits most among Republicans from an open race, state lawmaker Greg Brower and Navy veteran Kirk Lippold are the other Republicans already in. Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki could join them.

Angle is already waging a battle against the GOP establishment in the state, warning supporters in a fundraising email last week that while she wants Heller’s seat, “the left wing of the Republican Party wants it more.”

A closed process would have allowed the party’s central committee to put forward a nominee for the special election, which would have left Angle on the outs. 

As Nevada Republicans prepare a lawsuit, Tuesday also marks Sen. John Ensign’s (R-Nev.) final day in the Senate. Heller is set to be sworn in May 9.  

In a farewell speech Monday, Ensign apologized to his Senate colleagues for the fallout over his affair with a former staffer, warning them of the “danger” of “power and adulation.” 

“As easy as it was for me to view this in other people, unfortunately, I was blind to how arrogant and self-centered … I had become,” Ensign said. “I did not recognize that I thought mostly of myself.

“The worst part about this is, I even tried not to become caught up in my own self-importance,” he continued. “Unfortunately, the urge to believe in it was stronger than the power to fight it. This is how dangerous the feeling of power and adulation can be.”

He also said he regretted his earlier decisions to judge Sens. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). He said that while he first called on both to resign, he later told both that he was wrong to make this call. Craig resigned over the infamous foot-tapping bathroom scandal, and Stevens was charged with corruption but not convicted.

Sean J. Miller and Pete Kasperowicz contributed.