Tom Henkenius Channel 2 News Sitting down to talk Friday morning, Congressman Dean Heller made clear he will not seek Senator Harry Reid's seat in 2010.
"In 2010 I will be running for re-election," said Rep. Heller.
But, he's not commiting to his plans beyond that, "I am not even considering that. At this point that is not even on my radar screen. 2010 has 100% of my focus."
When asked if he was commiting not to run against John Ensign in 2012, "I didn't say that. I just said my focus today is 2010."
The second term congressman had been considered the Republican front-runner to challenge Senator Reid. Internal Republican party polling numbers released to the Washington Post this week showed him leading Sen. Reid by 9 points.
He says mostly for personal reasons he decided not to run but admits the fallout Senator Ensign's admitted affair affected his decision too.
"Keep in mind four or five months ago, John Ensign was the most popular elected official in the state of Nevada. So to have the most popular elected official standing next to you when you make the announcement... would have been very helpful," Rep. Heller said.
And while he's not calling for Sen. Ensign's resignation, he thinks Ensign should open up more.
"I'm kinda an open government, open person. I think that the public has a right to know about their elected officials. So yes, I think more information is always better. So in that case... I believe in the Ensign case that would also be favorable. Not only to him, but of course to the general public," Rep. Heller said.
Heller's also been a vocal critic of the current health care reform package before Congress.
"I've already voted on the bill, I've voted against it."
Heller says because he's made his decision, you won't see him holding town hall meetings like those that have been happening around the country.
