Congressman Randy Fine Warns Jewish Voters Against Nevada Democrat Teresa Benitez-Thompson, Backs David Flippo

Congressman Randy Fine (R-FL), a Jewish member of the House, has released a video endorsing Republican Lt. Col. David Flippo (USAF Ret.) in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District while sharply criticizing Democratic nominee Teresa Benitez-Thompson’s record on Israel and her donor ties.

In the video, Fine states: “Hey, I’m Congressman Randy Fine of Florida, a Jewish congressman, and I have to tell you that David Flippo’s opponent, Teresa Benitez-Thompson, is not a safe choice if you are Jewish. She supports restoring funding for the Hamas-linked UNRWA. She has taken money from the exact same donors who give to Abdul El-Sayed, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib. That’s the last thing we need in Congress, someone who supports Muslim terror. David Flippo will fight for you, and he will fight to make sure every Jewish voter in Nevada is safe. I hope you’ll support my friend David Flippo in this election.”

Benitez-Thompson’s own campaign website outlines positions that have drawn criticism from pro-Israel voices. She supports “phasing out direct financial support for offensive arms sales to Israel,” conditioning U.S. military aid on compliance with U.S. and international humanitarian law, and tying future arms sales to the Ceasefire Compliance Act. She also calls for “re-establishing U.S. funding” for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as part of broader humanitarian aid. UN investigators previously found that nine UNRWA staff members “may have been involved” in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. 

Subsequent U.S. government reviews, including from the USAID Office of Inspector General, have referred more than 100 current or former UNRWA staff for suspension or debarment consideration over alleged participation in the attacks or affiliation with Hamas’s military wing. Congress banned UNRWA funding in the FY26 appropriations process, and the Trump administration has halted U.S. support amid these concerns. 

Benitez-Thompson has also stated she will not accept AIPAC money and has described Israel’s actions involving Iran as “the war of choice in Iran.” 

According to FEC filings reviewed in connection with the race, Benitez-Thompson shares 32 donors with Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Several of her contributors have also given to Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

Flippo told the California Globe: “Teresa Benitez-Thompson hides it well, but she is one of the most radical left-wing candidates the Democrats are running for Congress this year, funded by the same donors as Abdul El Sayed, Ilhan Omar and says on her website she wants to restore government funding to an organization that was caught employing Hamas operatives. Nevada will not stand for this.”

Nevada’s 2nd District, covering northern Nevada including Reno and Carson City, has long been a Republican stronghold. Flippo, a Trump-endorsed retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, won the GOP primary and faces Benitez-Thompson, a former Nevada Assembly majority leader and social worker, and an independent candidate in the November 3 general election. 

Fine’s video adds a national dimension to the contest as early voting approaches, focusing attention on foreign policy and donor networks in a race that Republicans view as a must-hold seat.