Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) stated in an interview Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, that he will "absolutely not" vote for David Flippo, the Republican candidate seeking to succeed him in Nevada’s 2nd District. Amodei, who is retiring after 15 years in office, cited allegations of stolen valor and financial reporting failures as reasons for his decision. He further warned that the district, which has never elected a Democrat, is now "at risk" of flipping to Democratic control.
The 2nd District, encompassing Reno and northern rural counties, has historically been a Republican stronghold that Donald Trump won by 14 points in 2024. However, the race between Flippo and Democrat Teresa Benitez-Thompson, a former Nevada Assembly majority leader, has tightened. While national Republicans remain bullish on holding the seat, internal concerns have prompted the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. super PAC to begin spending in the district to support Flippo, who has self-funded a large part of his campaign.
Amodei specifically pointed to reports that Flippo lied about his military service by claiming he earned a Bronze Star for Valor. Flippo has attributed these claims to staff errors, though reports indicate he used the claim at least 15 times in campaign materials. Amodei also questioned Flippo’s late personal financial disclosures. Additional reports from the Reno Gazette Journal and Mother Jones allege Flippo was fired as a squadron commander in 2008 and from a job as a financial advisor for policy violations, and that his campaign records may include a donor who denies contributing.
The outcome directly impacts federal funding priorities and legislative votes that affect Nevada's rural and urban northern populations. If the seat flips, it establishes a precedent that even double-digit Republican districts can become competitive under specific candidate conditions. While national Republican groups like MAGA Inc. are spending money to prevent this, the public split between the long-time incumbent and the new nominee creates a unique scenario for voters who must choose between party loyalty and the specific candidate's record.
The next steps for the district involve the start of early voting, which Amodei said he plans to participate in within the coming days. Amodei said he is "looking seriously" at casting his ballot for the independent candidate. The final decision will be made by voters on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026. Until then, Republican officials are reportedly weighing whether Donald Trump should visit the district to campaign for Flippo, while Benitez-Thompson continues to campaign on the momentum noted by race raters. Flippo remains the official Republican nominee despite the lack of endorsement from the sitting congressman.