Who's running in Nevada's 2nd congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Lowering the cost of groceries, health care and housing; she says Trump's tariffs have raised prices and hurt Nevada's tourism economy.
Extending ACA premium subsidies and opposing Medicaid work requirements, warning of crowded emergency rooms.
Reversing cuts to federal wildfire and flood-mitigation funding and Forest Service staffing.
Immigration reform with 'humane enforcement', and opposing the SAVE America Act.
Recalibrating the US–Israel relationship and moving away from funding offensive arms sales, while saying 'the brutality of Hamas must end.'
Federal land sales only with public input and conservation easements, with proceeds kept in Nevada.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Nevada Assembly, District 27, 2011–2022; Assembly majority leader in the 2017 and 2019 sessions.
Chief of staff to Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford before running.
Won the June 9, 2026 Democratic primary with 45.6% over investor Greg Kidd and nine others.
Endorsed by the AFL-CIO, Culinary Workers Union, Teamsters, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Arguments in favor
'She was as bipartisan as you could get … If she didn't like one of my bills, she'd say, well, let's figure out how we can make it so that I can support it.'
— Susan Fisher, retired lobbyist and registered Republican, to The Nevada Independent
'With a weak Republican nominee and a fired-up electorate that's fed up with skyrocketing costs, Democrats have the first opportunity in decades to compete in Northern Nevada and flip this seat.'
— DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene (Las Vegas Sun)
Arguments against
'My opponent has appeased the radical fringe left that denies the atrocities committed by Hamas' to get through a Democratic primary. (The Nevada Independent noted that her website does not call Israel 'genocidal', as Flippo claimed.)
— David Flippo, Republican opponent (The Nevada Independent)
Opposing Medicaid work requirements shows 'my opponent and the Democratic Party have moved so far to the radical left' that a policy President Clinton championed 'is now the enemy.'
— David Flippo, Republican opponent (The Nevada Independent)
What we couldn’t verify
No NRCC material criticising Benitez-Thompson's record in detail was loaded; the NRCC's public comment found was a prediction that Flippo would win.
Summer fundraising totals will not be reported until October.
Independent American Party nominee for Nevada's 2nd District in 2024, losing to Mark Amodei.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Chapman's 2026 positions could not be found: no campaign site was found and no 2026 interview or survey was loaded. No argument for or against her was found.
The SAVE America Act: 'If you have to verify your identity to use an Olive Garden coupon, you can verify your identity to vote.'
Deportations to ease housing demand and raise wages for American workers, with small exceptions for sought-after skills.
Tariffs as 'a tool to bring other countries into line to build a fair global marketplace.'
Medicaid work requirements; opposing extension of ACA subsidies.
Not raising the retirement age and protecting 'no tax on Social Security'.
Returning federal land to the state to increase housing supply.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office; lost a 2022 Nevada Assembly primary and the 2024 Republican primary for the 4th District.
Won the June 9, 2026 Republican primary with 46.9%.
Loaned his campaign more than $1.6 million, per The Nevada Independent; had not filed the personal financial disclosure House candidates must file, per Inside Elections.
Endorsed by President Trump, Gov. Joe Lombardo, Senate Minority Leader Robin Titus, Turning Point Action and several House Freedom Caucus members.
Arguments in favor
'After years of failed Democrat policies that have made Nevada less affordable and less safe, voters are ready for commonsense leadership that delivers results' — Flippo will support the Trump agenda and lower prices.
— NRCC western regional press secretary Christian Martinez (The Center Square)
Flippo 'is going to win, with endorsements coming from the Police Unions, Chamber of Commerce, NRA, Builders Alliance, and Governor Lombardo.'
— Rory McShane, Flippo's general consultant (The Nevada Independent)
Arguments against
Flippo is 'not my cup of tea' and ran 'an absolutely scurrilous campaign'; he 'shows up and goes, I'm the answer for CD2 because it has historically been a Republican seat, and I love Donald Trump,' and his campaign's conduct is 'fairly arrogant and incredibly, incredibly disrespectful to the people whose votes you want.'
— Rep. Mark Amodei, the retiring Republican incumbent (The Nevada Independent)
'I was absolutely not going to vote for someone who moved here just a month or two before the primary. I view him as a carpetbagger.'
— Susan Fisher, retired lobbyist and registered Republican (The Nevada Independent)
Flippo used campaign funds to rent a personal home in Reno; Flippo says the payments were for a campaign headquarters.
— Former Eureka County Sheriff Jesse Watts, primary opponent (The Center Square)
What we couldn’t verify
Whether Flippo will take part in debates or long-form interviews before November was disputed between his campaign and Nevada Newsmakers.
His personal finances, and whether he will self-fund further, were not known because his financial disclosure had not been filed.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Nevada's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. Nevada's 'None of these candidates' ballot line applies only to statewide and presidential races, not to US House. The map did not change for 2026: the districts enacted by the Legislature in 2021 remain in use, and no 2026 redraw or pending congressional map case was found. This is an open seat: Republican Rep. Mark Amodei, who has held it since 2011, announced his retirement in February 2026. Party primaries were held June 9. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and The Nevada Independent's general election voter guide: Democrat Teresa Benitez-Thompson, who won her primary with 45.6%; Republican David Flippo, who won his with 46.9% over former state Sen. James Settelmeyer; and Independent American Party candidate Lynn Chapman. No independent candidate qualified. The district covers most of Northern Nevada, including Reno, Sparks, Carson City and Elko, and has never elected a Democrat; Amodei won 55.0% in 2024. The DCCC added the seat to its 'Districts in Play' list in August 2026. Amodei has said he will not endorse Flippo. Candidates are listed alphabetically by surname, the order Nevada ballots use.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Nevada ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.