Amodei Calls Flippo a ‘Fraud’ on CNN as Nevada’s GOP Stronghold Turns Competitive Amid Early Voting Edge for Democrats

Retiring Republican Rep. Mark Amodei told CNN that he did not vote for David Flippo, the Trump-endorsed Republican nominee to succeed him in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, and labeled him a “fraud.” The comments, made as early voting continues, underscore the unusual vulnerability of a seat that has never elected a Democrat since its creation more than four decades ago.

Appearing on Erin Burnett’s program, Amodei said he had already cast his ballot and would not support Flippo. “I’m sorry, but at some point in time, you got to look yourself in the mirror,” Amodei stated, according to the segment. He has repeatedly refused to endorse Flippo, previously calling him “not my cup of tea” and criticizing the nominee’s late switch from the Las Vegas-area 4th District after Amodei announced his retirement. Amodei has also faulted Flippo’s primary campaign against former state Sen. James Settelmeyer and questioned the vetting behind President Trump’s endorsement.

The person most responsible for @DavidFlippoNV being the GOP nominee in CD2 is @AmodeiForNevada. https://t.co/TPWiiFbIzk

— Victor Joecks (@VictorJoecks) October 23, 2026

Nevada’s 2nd District, covering Reno, Carson City, and much of rural northern Nevada, has been a reliable Republican stronghold since it was drawn after the 1980 census. Only four people have ever represented it, all Republicans. Democrats came closest in 2006, when Jill Derby lost to Dean Heller by roughly five points. In 2024, Trump carried the district by about 14 points, and Amodei won reelection by a wide margin. The Cook Partisan Voting Index rates it R+7. Amodei himself has said the seat is no longer a “Republican guarantee” because of the nominee.

Flippo, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, faces multiple controversies. Reporting has detailed repeated claims that he received a Bronze Star “for Valor”—a distinction for heroism under fire—when he actually earned a standard Bronze Star for meritorious service. Campaign materials and a prior video used the “valor” language; Flippo apologized and blamed staff and even grandchildren for the mix-up while continuing to wear related insignia at events. He has also drawn scrutiny for delayed financial disclosures, large self-funding loans whose sources have been questioned, and FEC complaints alleging reporting issues and improper contributions. Critics, including Amodei, have called him a carpetbagger who “air-dropped” into the district.

His Democratic opponent, former Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson of Reno, has her own record under examination. A request has been sent to the FBI asking for a review of potential conflicts during her legislative service, including her simultaneous role on a charter school board and paid work at the University of Nevada, Reno while serving on the budget-writing Ways and Means Committee. 

She supported the largest tax increase in Nevada’s history during her time in Carson City, signed by former Republican governor Brian Sandoval, along with increases and later measures affecting mining and business taxes. Conservative outlets have also highlighted her legislative votes on gender-identity policies, pronoun requirements, and all-gender restrooms.

Former Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons revealed in a recent op-ed that “Teresa Benitez-Thompson is a former majority leader of the Nevada Assembly. At least 11 votes for tax increases or extensions, including the 2015 Commerce Tax. The simple fact is she will vote the way House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries tells her to vote.”

Early voting data shows Democrats holding a modest edge statewide after the first week. According to analysis by Review-Journal columnist Victor Joecks, after six days Democrats led by roughly 4.1 percentage points and about 11,700 ballots, with roughly 285,000 votes cast. That lead is smaller than the Democratic advantage at a comparable point in 2022. 

Democrats are turning out more strongly in rural areas and Washoe County relative to their registration, while Republicans have improved their share of mail ballots compared with recent cycles. Joecks noted there is no clear evidence of a Democratic wave, and that Election Day turnout—historically stronger for Republicans—remains a major unknown. 

In a district where Republicans have long dominated, the combination of candidate controversies and early numbers has made the race tighter than the district’s history would suggest. Amodei’s public break with the nominee, combined with Flippo’s controversies and Benitez-Thompson’s voting record, has turned what was once considered a safe Republican seat into one of the more closely watched races in Nevada this cycle. 

Early voting continues through Oct. 30, with Election Day on Nov. 3.