Brian Krolicki saw his political brand tarnished in late 2008, after he was indicted on charges stemming from his handling of a state-run college savings program. Photo: AP

“You could reprosecute this case in a political context,” said Krolicki, who has called the charges a political witch hunt brought against him by Reid allies. “This is something that I think one person, or perhaps more than one person, will try to turn into political ammunition.”

Nevada political analyst Jon Ralston said Krolicki would use the indictment to rally the Republican faithful but that political foes would inevitably use the charges against him.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” said Ralston. “People remember for a time that his middle name was ‘Indicted.’”

“The Republicans run a risk in nominating him,” said Coker. “People might turn away from him because, after he [won] the primary, Harry Reid would have a card with which to nuke him.”

Krolicki’s interest in the race comes as polls show Reid’s support in the state at anemic levels, with just 33 percent of Nevada voters expressing a favorable view of Reid in a January Mason-Dixon survey. The poll also showed Reid trailing three already-announced GOP challengers: former Nevada GOP Chairwoman Sue Lowden, former University of Nevada basketball player Danny Tarkanian and former state Assemblywoman Sharron Angle.

Ralston said one of the main challenges facing Krolicki was the prospect of entering a crowded field of primary opponents who have spent months on the campaign trail. “You jump into a pool with 12 people, and I don’t think he immediately makes a dent,” said Ralston. “He jumps in, he makes a splash. But how big a splash will it be?”

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