A New Contender in the Nevada Political Landscape
As the political landscape in Northern Nevada heats up, President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind David Flippo to fill the congressional seat left by Republican Congressman Mark Amodei, who will not seek reelection. This unexpected endorsement comes amidst the ongoing early voting process, creating new dynamics in the race.
Mark Amodei, however, has already shown his preference for another candidate, endorsing former state senator James Settelmeyer. This divergence sets up a complex contest that could potentially see a shift in a district long held by Republicans.
Political analyst Jeremy Gelman from the University of Nevada, Reno, highlights the distinct approaches of the two candidates. “Flippo’s running a nationalized campaign. He has a few Nevada endorsements, but almost all of them are national political figures, including the president,” he explained. “Settelmeyer’s the exact opposite. If you go to his website, you have a who’s who of Nevada Republicans of the past decade.”
David Flippo, a newcomer to elected office, initially aimed for Southern Nevada’s CD4 but redirected his campaign northward following Amodei’s retirement announcement. His alignment with the MAGA movement has garnered him support from Trump-backed groups such as Turning Point and Gun Owners of America.
In contrast, James Settelmeyer emphasizes his deep roots in Northern Nevada, drawing on his background as a fourth-generation cattle rancher and his legislative history focused on rural issues and conservative values. His campaign has received backing from influential figures like Republican Governor Joe Lombardo.
The race took another twist when Amodei publicly criticized Trump’s choice on social media, labeling it a “mistake.” He stated, “I proudly voted for pure Nevada, Nevada proud, James Settelmeyer. With all due respect Mr. President, Nevada already has five representatives who live in Clark County. Your endorsement if followed, would make it six out of six.”
Gelman notes that the outcome of this race will be closely tied to broader sentiments about Trump and the economic conditions facing voters. He remarked, “If it becomes a close race here, no matter if it’s Settelmeyer or Flippo, that’s a reflection of a very adverse national environment for Republicans. That has implications that go well beyond just this seat.”
With early voting continuing until Friday, June 5, and Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, the race remains wide open, and any shift could signal broader political trends in the region.
