CARSON CITY – Nevada Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sue Lowden responded today to a comment by an adviser to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that the senator will “vaporize” whoever emerges as his GOP challenger in his 2010 reelection bid.

“Nevadans have tired of Harry Reid’s angry, vindictive threats – but today’s threat is one that must be taken seriously,” Lowden said. “After all, Sen. Reid has shown remarkable skill in vaporizing Nevada jobs, Nevada homeowners, Nevada tax dollars, our seniors’ access to a solvent Medicare program and our residents’ private health care choices.”

The comment by the Reid adviser, made under condition of anonymity, was contained in a front page article published in Politico.

Lowden, a former state senator and Las Vegas businesswoman, is one of several Republicans vying to challenge Reid.