ST. PAUL, Minn. – At least several candidates have begun the process of building campaign war chests in anticipation of challenging U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Searchlight) in 2010, Nevada Republican Party chair Sue Lowden said today.

 "We have a deep bench of candidates who are looking at that seat, some are already raising money," Lowden told PolitickerNV.com after a breakfast meeting of the Silver State delegation at The Saint Paul hotel.

Lowden declined to provide names of potential candidates when asked, saying there would be a "good time" for that in the future.

The chairwoman was quick to add that the party would be looking closely at the full slate of campaigns across the ticket in 2010.

Reid, a four-term incumbent, is likely to be a top Republican target next cycle. It's not entirely clear who the party would run against the Democratic leader, though U.S. Rep. Jon Porter (D-Henderson) is widely mentioned as a potential challenger.