Nevada Democratic Sen. Harry Reid will lose his slot as majority leader once the GOP takes control of the Senate next year . But his Nevada counterpart in the Senate , Republican Dean Heller , is reportedly working to unseat Reid altogether in 2016 . Heller said he `` of course '' reached out to Nevada GOP Gov . Brian Sandoval to run to unseat Reid in 2016 , according to a report out Wednesday from the Las Vegas Review Journal . Sandoval , the first Hispanic man elected to statewide office in his state , handily won his gubernatorial bid with more than 70 percent of the vote earlier this month . Sandoval told the Las Vegas Sun this week that he is committed to serving out his term as governor , counting himself out for a move to Washington in two years if he sticks to his word . `` I think he 'll want to assess , and we 'll give him a little time to do that , '' Heller said . `` There are plenty of people I 'm sure could play in that race . '' Reid , a Senator since 1987 , has already signaled his intentions to run for reelection in 2016 . But he faces an uphill battle similar to the competitive race for his last re-election in 2010 . Unseating him -- a long-time Democratic fixture in Congress considered a lightning rod figure by some on the right -- could be a symbolic victory for conservatives looking to maintain their new Senate majority beyond 2016 . `` Senator Reid and Senator Heller have known each other for a long time , '' Reid 's spokeswoman Kristen Orthman said in a statement to the Review-Journal . `` Working together , they are able to do good things for Nevada and that is our top priority . '' Reid 's office did not immediately return CNN 's request for comment . Heller lost his bid Thursday to become chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee , a group which works to promote and elect GOP senators . Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi will replace outgoing NRSC chairman Rob Portman of Ohio . The position was viewed as a critical one for Heller : It would have increased his authority in the Senate leading into the 2016 elections , giving him authority to recruit candidates like Sandoval and actively fundraise for them .
Nevada GOP Sen. Dean Heller wants a Republican to unseat Harry Reid in 2016 . He said has spoken with Nevada Gov . Sandoval , urging him to run . Reid will lose his slot as majority leader since the GOP now holds a Senate majority . Heller lost his bid to become the NRSC chair Thursday .