Trump-Backed Candidate Wins Nevada GOP Primary for Open House Seat
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. David Flippo defeated a rival backed by the state governor to win the Republican nomination in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District. The race drew attention because the seat opened after the incumbent’s retirement and because the winner received an endorsement from the president in the final weeks.
newser.comRetired Air Force Lt. Col. David Flippo won the Republican primary for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. The victory came after he received an endorsement from the president in the closing weeks of the campaign. The race was for an open seat created when Rep.
Mark Amodei announced his retirement after 15 years in office. Flippo defeated former state Sen. James Settelmeyer, who had support from the governor.
” He added that Nevada deserves a fighter and that is what he will deliver. The governor and the retiring representative had backed Settelmeyer. Democrats viewed a Flippo win as potentially helpful to their chances in the general election in the conservative-leaning district.
Democrats nominated Teresa Benitez-Thompson, chief of staff to state Attorney General Aaron Ford. She said she will ensure Nevada families have an authentic Nevadan voice fighting for their needs in Washington. The 2nd District covers all northern Nevada, including the battleground county of Washoe. It is mostly rural but includes Reno.
In the Democratic primary for governor, Aaron Ford defeated a progressive candidate and will face the incumbent governor in November. Ford is tying the governor to the president in placing blame for rising prices and has pledged to lower costs for families.
Republican primaries for attorney general and secretary of state featured candidates who had raised questions about past elections. Adriana Guzmán Fralick won the GOP nomination for attorney general and will face Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro.
