A record number of people in Nevada are running for office this year, and the Republican primary for Harry Reid's U.S. Senate seat "typifies the high-volume, raucous contests expected this election season," the Las Vegas Sun reports.

Before Friday's filing deadline, the record for the most candidates on a Senate primary ballot was six, which happened in 2004 when Reid last ran for re-election. This year there will be 13 Republicans on the ballot.

More from The Sun:

The candidates will be forced to spend money to stand out from the pack. And dark horse candidates with strong bases, such as former Reno Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, have a potential path to victory.

This is all good news for Reid's re-election hopes even though the reason so many are eager to take on the most powerful Democrat in Congress is he's vulnerable.

While Reid will have no problem winning his party's nomination, he does face four Democratic challengers, a reflection of his unpopularity, even among some Democrats.

Even after June's primary there will be more than a binary Democratic/Republican choice for U.S. Senate. Four nonpartisan candidates, including a candidate from the newly formed Tea Party of Nevada and conservative Independent American Party, will be on the ballot.

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