Tarkanian behind GOP group working to defeat Reid

Republican Danny Tarkanian lost his bid for the GOP Senate nomination in Nevada, but that hasn't stopped him from continuing his efforts to unseat Harry Reid. Tarkanian, who has endorsed onetime GOP rival Sharron Angle in the race, is behind Harry Reid Votes, a so-called 527 political action committee working to unseat the Senate majority leader.

According to records filed with the Federal Election Commission on Friday, the group has spent nearly $25,000 since August—most of that money in the last two weeks—to oppose Reid's re-election. Last month, the group spent nearly $4,000 on radio spots and robocalls to Nevada voters. A report filed Wednesday disclosed that the group had spent nearly $13,000 on signs and "door-to-door canvassing." In a filing Saturday, the group reported it had spent just over $5,000 on canvassing, "scratch cards" and a "costume rental."

Harry Reid Votes also has a website which features a grinning Reid posing on a mock cover of Cosmopolitician magazine. "1001 reasons to fire Harry Reid," the cover says, in a layout that mimics the coverlines of the women's fashion monthly. "Liberals are funneling millions into the state to re-elect their puppet Harry Reid," the group's radio ad says. "What does Nevada say? No more." The group reportedly plans to air TV ads before Election Day.

Though he has endorsed the GOP nominee Angle, a tea party favorite, Tarkanian has not actually campaigned with her. Last month, he was set to appear at a rally with Angle, but backed out after the Nevada Democratic Party filed an FEC complaint alleging cooperation between Tarkanian's 527 group and the Angle campaign.

Still, the last several months haven't exactly been a lovefest between Angle and Tarkanian, who has made it clear that he doesn't think the best candidate won the GOP nomination. In August, Tarkanian, who came in a distant third in the GOP primary, told the New York Times' Adam Nagourney that Angle's win had created an opening for the Senate majority leader. "Reid had no chance to win before," Tarkanian said. "He has a shot to win now. He could still lose, but I have to say he is favored."

(Photo of Danny Tarkanian: Isaac Brekken/AP)