President Donald Trump is waging a proxy war with the Nevada GOP establishment as his handpicked candidate looks to prevail in Tuesday’s primary to replace retiring Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV).
Trump-backed David Flippo will face former state Senate Republican leader James Settelmeyer, who is backed by both Gov. Joe Lombardo (R-NV) and Amodei, in the June 9 primary. The seat, rated “Solid Republican” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, almost guarantees the Republican nominee will win in November.
Lombardo is backed by Trump, as was Amodei before he announced his retirement, putting the pair at odds with the president despite his endorsements.
The race is also another test of Trump’s endorsement strength after suffering a defeat in last week’s Iowa primary. Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) lost to Zach Lahn in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Prior to Feenstra’s loss, Trump’s winning streak with endorsements included defeating Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Cornyn (R-TX), as well as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY).
Amodei wrote off Trump’s endorsement of Flippo late last month as he reaffirmed his support for Settelmeyer.
“The home team has done just fine,” the Nevada congressman wrote. “The time has not come for a national private political organization to pick for Nevadans, who speaks for them in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
Flippo was running in Nevada’s 4th Congressional District, which is anchored in Las Vegas, before flipping to the northern 2nd District when Amodei announced his retirement. He also ran in the 4th District in 2024 but narrowly lost the GOP primary.
He has also drawn some criticism for recently moving to Reno.
“With all due respect Mr. President, Nevada already has five representatives who live in Clark County,” he continued. “Your endorsement if followed, would make it six out of six. CD-2 has been especially good to you throughout your three runs. This endorsement is an incredibly curious way to say thank you to those people who have been the bedrock of your political endeavors here in original Nevada.”
Amodei announced his retirement earlier this year after serving eight terms in the House.
There are an additional 11 candidates in the mix, but Flippo and Settelmeyer are considered the front-runners.
Settelmeyer has a long legislative resume, previously serving as state Senate minority leader and director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. But even he has brandished his Trump bona fides throughout the primary. In one ad, Settelmeyer touts his role as co-chairman of Trump’s 2020 Nevada campaign.
Flippo and his allies have tried to position him as the true Trump candidate. Flippo has been endorsed by Turning Point Action, Freedom Caucus, and the Club for Growth, a conservative advocacy group that has spent significantly on Flippo. One ad from Club for Growth says “President Trump needs reinforcements in Congress” and touts the president’s support of Flippo.
The Air Force veteran also has the backing of the Washoe GOP, the most populous county in the northern Nevada district.
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Despite his endorsement of Settelmeyer, Lombardo and the president seem to be on good terms. Trump continued to express his support for the governor ahead of Tuesday’s election.
“Joe Lombardo is SMART, STRONG, AND TOUGH, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election,” Trump posted on Truth Social Monday. “Election Day is Tuesday, June 9th. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR JOE — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”