Former Nevada State Senator James Settelmeyer Files for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional 

James Settelmeyer, a longtime Nevada Republican legislator, cattle rancher, and current Director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, officially filed today to run for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District. Settelmeyer contacted the California Globe directly after filing his candidacy papers with the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office.

Glad to see a real Northern Nevadan like @SettelmeyerNV file for CD2.
And Happy Birthday, too! 🇺🇸🦅💪🤠🎂 pic.twitter.com/cOTXhpmdmG

— Andrew Diss (@AndrewDissNV) March 6, 2026

The seat is being vacated by retiring Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV), who has represented the northern Nevada district since 2011. Settelmeyer’s announcement adds a well-known Northern Nevada conservative voice to what is becoming a crowded Republican primary in this reliably red district, which covers Reno, Carson City, and vast rural areas including Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Pershing, Storey, and White Pine counties.

A fourth-generation Nevada rancher from Douglas County, Settelmeyer served 16 years in the Nevada Legislature: four years in the Assembly (2006–2010) and 12 years in the Senate representing District 17 (covering Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, and Storey counties) until 2022. He rose to become Senate Republican Leader and was known for his staunch advocacy on issues like property rights, natural resource management, and constitutional protections.

Thank you to Senator @LVchrisbrooks for autographing SB254 which seeks to cap greenhouse gas emissions. I voted “no” after telling the committee “I am a cattle rancher and I have some cows that fart.” Chris even though we don’t always agree at least we agree to be friends. #nvleg pic.twitter.com/A1G8c9Hrz8

— James Settelmeyer (@SettelmeyerNV) April 5, 2019

During his legislative career, Settelmeyer played a key role in challenging what he viewed as unconstitutional tax increases. In 2019, he led a group of Senate Republicans in filing a successful lawsuit against then-Gov. Steve Sisolak and Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, who is a Democrat running for Attorney General in November. 

The suit contested Senate Bills 542 and 551, which extended a DMV technology fee and repealed a payroll tax trigger without the required two-thirds supermajority vote under Nevada’s Constitution (Article 4, Section 18). In 2021, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled in the Republicans’ favor, declaring portions of the bills unconstitutional for bypassing the supermajority requirement on revenue-generating measures. The decision invalidated tens of millions in projected revenue collections and highlighted Settelmeyer’s dedication to fiscal restraint and constitutional fidelity.

Settelmeyer has also been vocal about environmental and land-use policies affecting Nevada. 

As an appointed representative on the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board, and through his legislative oversight roles, he has criticized the bi-state agency for failing to adequately reflect the interests of Nevadans. He has argued that TRPA decisions often prioritize broader regional or California’s concerns over local economic needs, property rights, and community input in the Lake Tahoe Basin—issues he has championed in committee hearings and public statements.

Now serving under Gov. Joe Lombardo as Director of Conservation and Natural Resources since 2023, Settelmeyer oversees policies on wildlife, forestry, parks, and water resources—experience he is expected to bring to Congress to advocate for rural Nevada, responsible land management, and reduced federal overreach.

The Republican primary field is growing rapidly during the filing period (which runs through March 13). Other GOP candidates who have already filed include Jennifer Billat, Tom Doyle, Kameron Hawkins, Rick Shepherd, Dr. Fred Simon, Monica Jaye Stabbert, Sherman Tylawsky, and retired Eureka County Sheriff Jesse Watts. 

Additionally, Col. David Flippo (R), a retired military officer, has recently entered the race after initially exploring a different congressional bid in Southern Nevada. In 2022, Flippo ran unsuccessfully in Assembly District 37, placing third in the GOP Primary and in 2024, he lost the Republican primary in Nevada’s Congressional District 4. 

Flippo has received an endorsement from Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and support from the Arizona-based Turning Point USA (TPUSA), signaling strong backing from out-of-state national conservative activist and consultant networks. Flippo visits the congressional district but resides in Las Vegas, NV. 

The Globe has confirmed through multiple sources that Governor Lombardo is likely to endorse Settlemeyer in the crowded GOP field as Settelmeyer’s name recognition, rural roots, and track record position him as a formidable contender among the GOP base in this rural and large district.

Paul Enos, CEO of the Nevada Trucking Association, threw his personal support behind Settlemeyer with his endorsement in a written statement to the Globe: 

“I am proud to personally endorse James Settelmeyer, a lifelong Nevadan who lives, serves, and leads in our state. James is unafraid to confront flawed policies from any quarter, he successfully sued Governor Sisolak and Senate Majority Leader Cannizzaro in 2019—alongside the Nevada Trucking Association—for violating the state constitution by passing fee increases without the required two-thirds vote, ensuring accountability to the rules the people set in the Nevada Constitution.

Since Congressional District 2 was established in 1982, its voters have chosen dedicated public servants with deep roots in Northern Nevada. We have never sent an orangutan to Washington D.C., and it’s offensive that people who live outside the district or have relocated here solely to run for office presume they can represent us better than those who truly live and work here. We deserve authentic leaders, not political opportunists.”