Harry Reid endorses Chuck Schumer for next Senate minority leader

Following the news that he would not seek re-election next year, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) endorsed Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) to take his place. Reid made the comment to The Washington Post during an interview in his home Friday morning.

Reid's endorsement of Schumer means he is leapfrogging Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), who is the second-highest Democrat in the upper chamber. (Schumer is third in line.) Reid said Durbin would likely not oppose Schumer and predicted Schumer would win the post uncontested. The Post reports that Reid and Durbin spoke via phone Friday morning.

Reid apparently thinks Schumer could bring a "different style" to the leadership post. A spokesman for Reid said: "It's the caucus' decision but Senator Reid thinks Senator Schumer has earned it."

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