Retired Air Force Lt. Col. David Flippo won the Republican primary in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District after securing President Donald Trump’s endorsement, setting up a November general election against Democrats who believe his profile could draw some less
When David Flippo thanked Nevadans late Tuesday night, it wasn’t a victory lap. It was a promise—one he made hours after the Republican primary was called. “I will never let you down!” he posted on X, after winning the GOP contest for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District.
Flippo’s path to that call was shaped in the closing weeks of the campaign by an endorsement from President Donald Trump. The win puts Trump’s choice in the general election against Democrats who see an opening in a district that has been defined by loyalty—and. this year. by the idea that a candidate like Flippo might be easier to peel away from the most partisan edges of the electorate.
The primary itself had been crowded and closely watched. Flippo faced Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo and retiring Rep. Mark Amodei in the broader fight for the seat, with both Lombardo and Amodei backing former state Sen. James Settelmeyer. Amodei announced he would retire after 15 years. opening the door to a competitive nomination for Nevada’s only Republican-held House seat.
Democrats nominated Teresa Benitez-Thompson, the former majority floor leader, and the Democratic ticket also includes the chief of staff to state Attorney General Aaron Ford, who was nominated as part of the effort to win over less partisan voters in November.
Flippo, in his victory statement on X, said he will join President Donald Trump “to fight for the hard working men and women” in Nevada. The language landed with a familiar emphasis: labor, effort, and a direct link to the White House.
The 2nd District contest is one of several Nevada races that will be closely watched this year. In southern Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Susie Lee will face Marty O’Donnell. a composer known for writing the soundtrack to the video game “Halo.” Trump won the district in 2024 and backed O’Donnell. who thanked Trump in his victory statement.
Primary night also set up Nevada’s governor’s race. Aaron Ford, the state Attorney General, defeated a progressive candidate in the Democratic primary and will face Gov. Joe Lombardo in November. Lombardo. a former Clark County sheriff. is seeking a second term on his record of public safety and job creation and pledging to work on housing affordability.
Ford’s campaign plan ties Lombardo to Trump by placing blame for soaring prices across the state and has pledged to lower costs for families. Ford would be the state’s first Black governor if elected.
Elsewhere statewide. Republican primaries for attorney general and secretary of state highlighted how much of Nevada’s election environment is being fought over through the lens of election administration and trust. Adriana Guzmán Fralick. who has expressed concerns about voting security. won the GOP nomination for attorney general and will face Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro.
For secretary of state, Republicans chose between candidates with deep skepticism about recent elections. Jim Marchant, a former state lawmaker who has said the 2020 election “ was probably stolen,” advanced in the Republican primary. Sharron Angle, a former state lawmaker, was part of an effort to block the certification of Nevada’s 2020 election results. Another competitive candidate, Shirley Folkins-Roberts, is an attorney who has denied that there is widespread voting fraud in Nevada.
Back in the 2nd District. Flippo framed his candidacy around issues tied to northern Nevada—mining. water rights. and fuel prices—and he tried to make Settelmeyer’s long political record look out of step. He sought to turn Settelmeyer’s extensive time in politics into a liability. pointing to votes he said did not match conservative values.
Flippo also changed his political geography this cycle. He moved to the district after losing a race in southern Nevada in 2024. The 2nd District covers all northern Nevada, mostly rural, but includes Washoe County—the major battleground county that contains Reno.
In the background of all the numbers and endorsements. the story of the night was straightforward: Trump’s endorsement helped clear the path. while Nevada’s broader political map—governor. attorney general. secretary of state. and other House races—shows how quickly statewide and federal campaigns are bleeding into each other in the language of loyalty. blame. and the costs families are feeling.
David Flippo Trump endorsement Nevada 2nd congressional district Joe Lombardo Mark Amodei James Settelmeyer Teresa Benitez-Thompson Aaron Ford Nicole Cannizzaro Adriana Guzmán Fralick Nevada governor race secretary of state primary Jim Marchant Sharron Angle Shirley Folkins-Roberts