NV's longest serving state Senator announces his retirement

Republican William 'Bill' Raggio announced his retirement today, cutting short his 10th term as state Senator.

From Anjeanette Damon of the Las Vegas Sun:

Citing health concerns, Northern Nevada's iconic state Sen. Bill Raggio said today he will retire this month. The announcement comes just two months after he was ousted from the leadership position he had held for two decades.

“I had hoped to complete the remainder of my 10th elected term, but my physical mobility simply does not allow me to function fully, and therefore it is time for me to step aside for someone who can give the position a 100 percent effort," Raggio said in a prepared statement.

Raggio ignited a hissy fit among far right wing of Nevada's GOP when he endorsed Democrat Harry Reid over Republican Sharron Angle in the Senate election, a move that cost him his role as minority leader. Raggio also ruffled the feathers of his party when he suggested raising taxes to fix Nevada's budget woes.