Democrats have captured a reliably Republican House seat in northern Nevada, as former state House Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson defeated Air Force veteran David Flippo in the race to succeed retiring GOP Rep. Mark Amodei, according to Decision Desk HQ.
With 85% of the vote counted by Wednesday morning, Benitez-Thompson held more than 50% of the vote to Flippo's 44%, a decisive margin in a district that has never sent a Democrat to Congress and one where President Trump won by 14 points in 2024.
The upset is a significant blow to Republicans, who had counted on the district as a safe hold. But Flippo's campaign was dogged by allegations of financial misconduct and, late in the race, revelations that he had for years falsely claimed to have received a Bronze Star with a "V" device for valor—an honor reserved for acts of heroism in combat. In reality, he received a Bronze Star in 2004, but not for valor.
Amodei, who has represented the district since 2011, publicly called Flippo a "fraud" and said he would not vote for him. Flippo's campaign attributed the discrepancy to "honest mistakes" by aides, but the scandals gave Democrats a rare opening in a conservative stronghold.
Benitez-Thompson, a social worker, ran a campaign focused on affordability, fighting corruption in Washington, and protecting public lands. She earned a spot on the House Democrats' campaign arm's "Red to Blue" list and drew endorsements from prominent Democrats, including Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego and California Rep. Pete Aguilar.
The victory adds to Democrats' broader success in the midterm cycle, as the party has captured Congress in a historic wave. With control of both chambers, Democrats are already vowing aggressive oversight of the Trump administration, including crackdowns on artificial intelligence and tech companies.
In Nevada, the party also saw success in other races, with Susie Lee clinching the 3rd District and voters enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution.
Republicans, meanwhile, are vowing to resist the Democratic agenda. Senate Minority Leader John Thune has promised a "vigorous opposition" to Democratic priorities, while former Speaker Kevin Johnson has signaled a comeback bid for 2028 as Democrats cement control of the House.
Benitez-Thompson's win is a stark reminder of how candidate quality can override partisan leanings. In a district Trump carried by double digits, a flawed Republican nominee handed Democrats a seat that could prove pivotal as they implement their legislative agenda.
