The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Reid, Harry
1939–, U.S. senator from Nevada (1987–), b. Searchlight, Nev. A Democrat and a lawyer, he served in the Nevada state assembly (1969–70), as lieutenant governor (1970–74), and as chairman (1977–81) of the Nevada Gaming Commission before winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982. First elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, he was Senate Democratic whip (1999–2005) before he became Senate minority leader (2005–7) and majority leader (2007–). A moderate conservative known for his amiable manner, he is also regarded as a tough and tenacious legislator and party leader.
