NORTHERN NEVADA — Nevada's 2nd Congressional District will hold a Republican primary election on Tuesday, the first primary for the state's sole Republican congressional seat in 15 years. This election follows the announcement earlier in the year that Republican Representative Mark Amodei would retire, creating an opening in the district, which encompasses all of northern Nevada.
Former state senator James Settelmeyer and retired Lieutenant Colonel David Flippo are the primary candidates. Settelmeyer has received endorsements from Representative Amodei and Governor Joe Lombardo. Flippo has never held elected office and was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who published a social media post supporting Flippo's campaign. "I love the State — The People are special! I will never let you down and, with David Flippo, I am just adding to that Statement." Trump said.
Both candidates have focused their campaigns on economic policy, water allocation, and land management. Flippo relocated his campaign from a 2024 congressional race in southern Nevada to the 2nd District race, leasing a residence there to establish candidate residency. Flippo said, "I'm strong on my values, I'm stronger on the conservative principles, and I don't have the voting record." The Settelmeyer campaign released a statement asserting that the district needs a representative with established local ties rather than a recent candidate relocation.
Settelmeyer has approximately 20 years of political and governmental experience, having served in the Nevada State Senate, the Nevada State Assembly, and as director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He committed to commuting between Nevada and Washington, D.C., if elected. Settelmeyer said, "It's just very important that at the end of the day, that northern Nevada chooses a northern Nevadan to go to D.C. to represent northern Nevada."
In addition to Trump's endorsement, Flippo's campaign also received endorsements from Turning Point Action and the Freedom Caucus Fund. Former Representative Matt Gaetz also endorsed Flippo. Flippo previously ran in the 2024 Republican primary for Nevada's 4th Congressional District and was defeated. Registered Republicans hold a numerical advantage over other political affiliations in the 2nd District. Nevada Democrats plan to contest the congressional seat in the general election.