Sharron Angle: Shocked by Loss, Has Political 'Options'

LAS VEGAS — Republican Sharron Angle says she was shocked by her Nov. 2 loss to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, but in looking forward has "lots of options" to weigh as she decides her next political step.

"I will always be involved in politics. I have a lot of options next cycle," Angle told the Lahontan Valley News. "Lots of options."

Nevada's other U.S. Senate seat is up in 2012 and as many as four congressional seats could be in play by then. Angle, a former state representative, said she also could seek a term in the Nevada Senate.

A favorite of the tea party, Angle has stayed mostly out of the public arena since her loss to Reid, and the interview Saturday with the newspaper was her first since then with northern Nevada media.

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Angle told the newspaper she was shocked to have lost to Reid after some polls showed her leading in the weeks leading up to the race. Angle fared much better rural areas than urban ones and had harsh words for voters in the bigger cities of Las Vegas and Reno.

"I find the people in the rural counties more educated on the issues and seem to be more tied into their communities," she said. "The urban areas seem to have more of a disconnect from the issues that affect their communities."

Angle also blamed Reid for the negative tone that both sides took as the campaign wore on, saying he forcing her to fight back after he released a flood of negative TV spots.

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"I would have liked to have run a more positive campaign and been able to put out a more positive message," Angle said. "But it was not possible. He had battered me with his campaign ads and left me with no room."

Also jarring to Angle were the handful of Nevada Republicans who endorsed Reid. She singled out Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and Sparks Mayor Gino Martini.

"That was the most surprising blow," she said. "I always thought in the end there is some kind of loyalty, but they shifted loyalties to the fellow who could deliver the pork."

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