Differences between Harry Reid and Sue Lowden
Harry Reid vs. Sue Lowden[edit]
Harry Reid was a long-serving Democratic politician from Nevada who held roles including Senate Majority Leader.[1][2] Sue Lowden is a Republican businesswoman and former Nevada State Senator.[3] The two were involved in a notable political contest during the 2010 United States Senate election in Nevada. Reid, the incumbent, ultimately won re-election for his fifth and final term. Lowden was a leading contender for the Republican nomination but lost in the primary to Sharron Angle.[4]
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | Harry Reid | Sue Lowden |
|---|---|---|
| Political Party | Democratic[1] | Republican[3] |
| Key Political Experience | U.S. Senator (1987–2017), Senate Majority Leader (2007–2015), U.S. Representative (1983-1987) | Nevada[1] State Senator (1993–1997), Nevada Republican Party Chair (2007-2009) |
| Stance[3][5] on Healthcare | Supported the Affordable Care Act. He also voted against proposals to ban federal funding for insurance plans that included abortion coverage. | Opposed the Affordable Care Act and suggested patients could lower costs by bartering with doctors, for example, by bringing "a chicken to the doctor." |
| Economic Policy | Supported investments in renewable energy and opposed tax breaks for large oil companies. | Advocated for corporate tax breaks and curbing the power of labor unions as a state senator. |
| Social Issues | Evolved from a centrist to more progressive stances. Initially held anti-abortion views but later garnered high ratings from pro-choice groups. Supported some gun rights. Voted against a federal amendment to ban same-sex marriage. | Supported a bill to eliminate mandatory childhood immunizations, stating that requiring them was "the ultimate government intervention." |
2010 Senate Campaign[edit]
The 2010 Senate race in Nevada attracted national attention. Reid, as the sitting Senate Majority Leader, was a high-profile target for Republicans. Lowden entered the race as a frontrunner for the Republican nomination.
Reid's campaign began focusing on Lowden early in the election cycle, highlighting her business background and policy positions. Lowden'[4]s campaign faced significant scrutiny for her comments on healthcare policy. During a television appearance, she suggested that in the "olden days," people would barter with doctors for care, famously suggesting they could "bring a chicken to the doctor." This remark was widely publicized and became a focal point of criticism and satire from Democrats. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee created a website called "Chickens for Checkups" in response.
Despite initially polling well against Reid, Lowden's campaign lost momentum. She was[4] ultimately defeated in the Republican primary by Sharron Angle, who went on to lose the general election to Reid.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "ballotpedia.org". Retrieved February 03, 2026.
- ↑ "youtube.com". Retrieved February 03, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved February 03, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "wikipedia.org". Retrieved February 03, 2026.
- ↑ "thenevadaindependent.com". Retrieved February 03, 2026.
