Retired Air Force Lt. Col. David Flippo secured the Republican nomination for Nevada's 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, a victory fueled by President Trump's endorsement and the support of the MAGA movement. Decision Desk HQ projected Flippo's win in the primary to succeed retiring Rep. Mark Amodei, who has represented the district for 15 years.
Flippo defeated James Settelmeyer, a former Nevada Senate Minority Leader with nearly two decades of legislative experience. Settelmeyer had the backing of prominent state Republicans, including Amodei and Gov. Joe Lombardo. The race tested the strength of Trump's endorsement against local party establishment figures.
Flippo, who has never held elected office, positioned himself as a conservative outsider. He earned support from Turning Point Action, the organization founded by the late activist Charlie Kirk, and other key allies in the MAGA movement. Trump endorsed Flippo in the final stretch of the primary, calling him an "America First Patriot" and highlighting his support for the "no-tax-on-tips" proposal, which Trump first unveiled in Nevada during his 2024 campaign.
Trump carried the 2nd District by about 14 percentage points in 2024. The Cook Political Report rates the general election race as "solid red," making Flippo the heavy favorite in November. The district covers northern Nevada, including Reno and rural areas.
Amodei publicly criticized Trump's endorsement, calling it a "mistake" and noting that Flippo had been living outside the district. Flippo originally ran for the state's 4th District, based in southern Nevada, before switching to the open 2nd District seat. "The time has not come for a national private political organization to pick for Nevadans, who speaks for them in the U.S. House of Representatives," Amodei wrote on social media after Trump's endorsement, adding that he voted for "pure Nevada, Nevada proud, James Settelmeyer."
Flippo's victory adds to a series of Trump-endorsed wins in primaries across the South, reinforcing the president's influence over Republican nominating contests. The race in Nevada mirrors dynamics seen in other states, where Trump's backing has often overwhelmed local party endorsements.
The general election will likely be a low-key affair given the district's Republican lean. Flippo will face a Democratic opponent in November, but the seat is widely expected to remain in GOP hands. The primary outcome also underscores the ongoing tension between Trump-aligned insurgents and established Republican officeholders.
For more on related primary races, see our coverage of Mace backing Wilson in South Carolina's governor runoff and Platner's Maine primary win amid scandals.
