Harry Reid

Harry Mason Reid Jr. was a prominent American lawyer and politician, born on December 2, 1939. He made significant contributions to Nevada's political landscape, serving as a United States senator from 1987 until 2017. Reid's political journey began after he earned his undergraduate degree from Utah State University and a Juris Doctor from George Washington University. He initially served as the city attorney for Henderson, Nevada, before entering the Nevada Assembly in 1968.

In 1970, Reid was chosen as the running mate for gubernatorial candidate Mike O'Callaghan, a former boxing coach, and subsequently served as the 25th lieutenant governor of Nevada from 1971 to 1975. After a series of political challenges, including defeats for the United States Senate and mayor of Las Vegas, he became the chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission from 1977 to 1981. Reid then represented Nevada's 1st district in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1987.

Reid's election to the United States Senate in 1986 marked the beginning of a long and impactful tenure. He served as the Senate Democratic whip from 1999 to 2005 and became the Senate Majority Leader in 2007 after the Democrats regained control of the Senate. During his leadership, he played a crucial role in passing significant legislation, including the Affordable Care Act and the Dodd–Frank Act. His tenure was also marked by the controversial invocation of the 'nuclear option' in 2013, which changed the rules for ending filibusters on presidential nominations.

After the Republicans regained control of the Senate in 2014, Reid served as the Senate Minority Leader until his retirement in 2017. He is remembered as Nevada's longest-serving senator, surpassing the previous record by just two days. Following his passing from cancer on December 28, 2021, Harry Reid International Airport was named in his honor, a testament to his lasting legacy in Nevada.