RENO, Nev. — By all historical and mathematical metrics, Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District should not be a battleground. Drawn in 1981 as a reliably Republican stronghold where Democrats have never come close to victory, the seat is now facing an unexpectedly difficult campaign for its Republican nominee, David Flippo. Despite holding President Trump’s endorsement, Flippo is grappling with accusations that he overstated his military record and has insufficient connections to the district he seeks to represent.
“This seat is some kind of competitive like it has never been in the history since it was created,” said retiring Rep. Mark Amodei, who has held the northern Nevada seat for 15 years. “And you know what I attribute that to? I attribute it to the candidate and the way he’s run his campaign.”
According to the Washington Post, Flippo’s campaign repeatedly mischaracterized his military service in fundraising appeals and campaign videos, describing him as a recipient of the Bronze Star with a “V” for valor. However, the Bronze Star with Valor is specifically reserved for acts of bravery in combat—a distinction many veterans notice. During a press conference, Flippo apologized and attributed the error to a young staffer who had mixed up the terminology from an award his entire unit received. In an interview with NPR, Flippo suggested the language was “edited and convoluted” and ultimately slipped back into materials despite his corrections.
Flippo also addressed controversy surrounding photos on his campaign website showing him wearing two “V” pins on a veteran hat. He explained that his grandchildren had misplaced one of the pins and inadvertently placed an extra one on his cap, adding that he owns another identical hat without the devices. The campaign later removed the photo in question after NPR inquired about the display.
Flippo’s arrival in the district was itself a point of contention. Earlier this year, he was campaigning for Congress in Las Vegas when Amodei announced his retirement. Flippo subsequently shifted his focus to the open seat in Reno, roughly seven hours away. At the time, he declared himself “all in” for the conservative district, citing endorsements from groups like Turning Point USA.
Although Flippo won the Republican primary decisively, Republican super PACs have felt compelled to intervene recently, spending over $1 million on television and digital advertising in his defense, according to AdImpact data. Nevada political analyst Jon Ralston noted that the outlay suggests panic within GOP headquarters, comparing the situation to a “five alarm fire.”
On the Democratic side, Teresa Benitez-Thompson has been added to the Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” program, signaling that the party views the seat as winnable. Benitez-Thompson, a former Miss Nevada and state legislator, has emphasized her lifelong roots in the area, contrasting them with Flippo’s recent relocation. “This is home,” she told voters at a Reno meet-and-greet, a clear reference to her opponent’s origins in southern Nevada.
Benitez-Thompson is focusing heavily on economic affordability, citing sky-high grocery and gas prices. “No one has to give me talking points on the cost of groceries. I know exactly what a full grocery cart looks like,” she said. While the district leans heavily Republican and independent, she noted that her campaign is actively reaching beyond traditional Democratic circles.
Flippo, who has loaned $1.6 million to his campaign this cycle, argues that rising costs are temporary consequences of necessary actions against Iran. He defended his military service, highlighting 24 years in the Air Force, including logistics commands in Iraq, as evidence of his understanding of Middle Eastern affairs. “My whole career was spent eating the dust and dirt there in the Middle East,” he said.
Despite the Republican National Committee calling Democratic hopes “delusional,” Amodei remains adamant that he will not endorse Flippo. “It’s like, I’m not hugging this,” the outgoing representative said. “It’s not my last move walking out the door.”
It’s wild that a seat this safe for Republicans is suddenly up for grabs over campaign gaffes.
The panic spending by Republican Super PACs tells me they know they’re in trouble already.
Twenty-four years in logistics doesn’t exactly scream combat valor. This needs more scrutiny from the media.
I don’t care about the pins. Two wrongs don’t make a right, no matter what staffer says.
Calling a veteran a carpetbagger seems harsh, but living in Vegas and running in Reno is a tough sell to locals.