Reagan Ally Laxalt Won’t Seek Reelection

Sen. Paul Laxalt, one of President Reagan’s closest friends and advisers, announced today that he will not seek reelection at the end of his term in 1987 in a blow to Republican hopes to keep control of the Senate.

“I continue to feel a deep and binding obligation to our state, our President, to my party and the United States Senate. But I also feel that obligation can be discharged in ways other than remaining in the Senate,” he told a crowded news conference.

“Simply put, I’m at a point in my life when I’d dearly love to spend more time with my children and grandchildren,” Laxalt said.

However, Laxalt, long rumored to be interested in making a run for the White House, said he might return to politics to seek the GOP presidential nomination in 1988.

“You can’t rule out the possibility,” he said.

Laxalt said he called the President at his ranch Sunday and “he (the President) didn’t jump with joy.” Reagan was “deeply disappointed but he understood. . . . That’s what friendship is all about.”

Laxalt, who served as Nevada governor when his close friend Ronald Reagan was governor of California, said earlier that he has made a “flat-out commitment” to Reagan to stay in Washington through the end of the President’s term.

Could Take Other Post

Laxalt said he could continue to serve the President as a trouble-shooter or special ambassador after he leaves the U.S. Senate.

Republicans control the Senate 53 to 47. Laxalt’s seat was considered safe if he ran for reelection. But his decision to bow out gives the Democrats a better chance.

Rep. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), a two-term congressman from Las Vegas, has said he would like to replace Laxalt. And Rep. Barbara F. Vucanovich (R-Nev.), a two-term congresswoman from Reno, has eyed the job.

Laxalt said that his independent nature “cries for more freedom,” but that he has also been reminded of his responsibilities to the President, his party and the state.

Laxalt is the senior senator for Nevada and has considerable influence because of his long friendship with Reagan.

His announcement was made in the state Capitol where in 1970 he bowed out of politics by refusing to run for a second term as governor.