Berkley still undecided on Nevada Senate run

Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) says while she's encouraged by an internal poll that shows her ahead of Rep. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) by four points in a hypothetical 2012 Senate match-up, she remains undecided on a bid next year.

Heller is already in the race for retiring Sen. John Ensign's (R-Nev.) seat. Berkley acknowledged Thursday, "I need to make a decision fairly soon."

The Nevada Democrat was waiting on numbers from pollster Mark Mellman to demonstrate a "path to victory." Asked Thursday if the internal that found her up 42 percent to 38 percent over Heller is pushing her toward a yes on the Senate race, Berkley told The Ballot Box, "It was very encouraging."

"Had the poll come out another way, it would have made a decision easier," said Berkley, who still sounds cautious on a run for the upper chamber next year. 

"I love my job right now," she said. "And I sit on the Ways and Means Committee, which is very important for my district and my state."

Berkley said she'll make a final decision on the race "soon," alluding to a crowd of other rumored Democratic contenders who are waiting on her decision.

Should Berkley opt against a 2012 race, Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and State Treasurer Kate Marshall are all potential candidates.