--- title: "Benitez-Thompson vs. Flippo: 2026 Nevada’s 2nd District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-nv-02" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Nevada’s 2nd District race: Teresa Benitez-Thompson (D) vs. David Flippo (R) Rating: Likely R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 In Nevada's 2nd Congressional District, Republican nominee David Flippo faces Democratic nominee Teresa Benitez-Thompson in the general election for the open seat following incumbent Mark Amodei's retirement. Benitez-Thompson, a former State Assembly leader, is campaigning on stabilizing family costs, healthcare access, and sensible immigration reform. ## Candidates - **Teresa Benitez-Thompson** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://electteresa.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Teresa_Benitez-Thompson) - **David Flippo** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Flippo) ## Issues ### Economy and Cost of Living Salience: high While Benitez-Thompson focuses on government action to stabilize prices for groceries and housing, Flippo advocates cutting federal spending, eliminating regulations, and lowering taxes to combat inflation. **Teresa Benitez-Thompson:** Stabilize economy and lower prices Benitez-Thompson prioritizes stabilizing the economy to relieve financial pressure on Nevada families. Her platform emphasizes lowering everyday living costs, specifically focusing on affordable groceries, housing, and healthcare. - Focuses on reducing the cost of groceries, housing, and healthcare for regular families. - Pledges to use congressional authority to stabilize the broader economy. > “We need a congress focused on providing health care, safer communities, and stabilizing the economy to make the price of groceries, healthcare, and housing more affordable.” > — Teresa Benitez-Thompson, via [Campaign site](https://electteresa.com/) **David Flippo:** Cut spending and lower taxes Flippo blames inflation and rising living costs on federal spending and government regulation. He promises to eliminate wasteful federal spending, lower taxes, reduce red tape for small businesses, and balance the federal budget. - Signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge committing to oppose all tax increases. - Proposes cutting wasteful federal spending to curb inflation and balance the budget. - Advocates cutting regulations and interest rates to support small business growth. > “Cut wasteful Washington spending to fight inflation.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) > “Deliver tax cuts that put money back in your pocket.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) ### Immigration and Border Security Salience: high Flippo demands strict border enforcement, wall construction, and mass deportations, whereas Benitez-Thompson advocates reforming the immigration system while protecting families from separation. **Teresa Benitez-Thompson:** Reform system without family separation Benitez-Thompson advocates for comprehensive reform of the federal immigration system. She supports creating a functional immigration structure while explicitly opposing federal tactics that pull families apart. - Calls for a reformed, functional federal immigration system. - Opposes federal enforcement actions that separate families. > “We need a reformed immigration system that works, not federal agents pulling families apart.” > — Teresa Benitez-Thompson, via [Campaign site](https://electteresa.com/) **David Flippo:** Secure border and deport illegal immigrants Flippo treats border security as a national security crisis, advocating strict law enforcement and physical barriers. He pledges to deport illegal immigrants, complete the border wall, and eliminate sanctuary city policies and catch-and-release programs. - Calls for the deportation of illegal immigrants and an end to sanctuary policies. - Supports finishing the southern border wall and deploying advanced surveillance technology. - Pledges increased funding and resources for Border Patrol and law enforcement agencies. > “Deport illegal aliens. Americans do not reward people for breaking our laws.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) > “Deploy advanced technology and infrastructure including finishing the Wall to stop illegal crossings.” > — David Flippo, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Flippo) ### Crime and Public Safety Salience: high Flippo champions mandatory tough sentencing for violent offenders and increased police funding, while Benitez-Thompson presents a broader commitment to community safety. **Teresa Benitez-Thompson:** Focus on safer communities Benitez-Thompson includes community safety as one of her top federal legislative priorities for Northern Nevada families. - Identifies building safer communities as a key pillar of her congressional campaign. > “We need a congress focused on providing health care, safer communities, and stabilizing the economy to make the price of groceries, healthcare, and housing more affordable.” > — Teresa Benitez-Thompson, via [Campaign site](https://electteresa.com/) **David Flippo:** Tougher sentencing and police funding Flippo opposes soft-on-crime criminal justice policies and pledges unyielding support for law enforcement. He champions mandatory tough sentencing for repeat and violent offenders alongside increased funding and equipment for police. - Pledges to fully fund law enforcement and back police officers. - Supports mandatory tough sentencing for repeat and violent criminal offenders. - Endorsed by major local law enforcement unions including the Reno and Sparks Police Protective Associations and Washoe County Sheriff Deputies Association. > “Enact tough sentencing for violent and repeat offenders.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) > “Fully fund and back the Blue.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) ### Healthcare Salience: medium **Teresa Benitez-Thompson:** Expand access and lower costs Benitez-Thompson positions healthcare accessibility and affordability as a core legislative commitment. Drawing on her professional background as a hospice social worker and her legislative record on health committees, she seeks federal solutions to lower care costs. - Prioritizes lowering healthcare costs for Nevada families. - Served on the Nevada Assembly Health and Human Services Committee during her legislative tenure. > “We need a congress focused on providing health care, safer communities, and stabilizing the economy to make the price of groceries, healthcare, and housing more affordable.” > — Teresa Benitez-Thompson, via [Campaign site](https://electteresa.com/) **David Flippo:** No documented position in our sources ### Education and Parental Rights Salience: medium **Teresa Benitez-Thompson:** No documented position in our sources **David Flippo:** Empower parents and cut bureaucracy Flippo supports returning educational authority to local communities and parents while eliminating federal educational bureaucracy. He supports school choice, banning biological males from female sports and restrooms, and removing DEI and CRT from curricula. - Advocates passing immediate federal legislation for a Parental Bill of Rights. - Supports school choice policies where education funds follow the student. - Pledges to ban biological males from participating in female sports and accessing girls' restrooms. - Calls for eliminating DEI and CRT from school curricula in favor of STEM and vocational skills. > “Ban males from girls’ and women’s sports.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) > “Pass a parental bill of rights, as federal legislation immediately.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) ### Energy and Infrastructure Salience: medium **Teresa Benitez-Thompson:** No documented position in our sources **David Flippo:** Unleash domestic energy production Flippo advocates unleashing domestic energy production to reduce utility bills and gas prices. Drawing on his management experience in the Alaska oilfields, he calls for expanding oil production and overhauling energy infrastructure to eliminate reliance on foreign oil. - Pledges to invest in domestic oil production to lower gas prices. - Supports overhauling national infrastructure to improve reliability and create construction jobs. - Advocates cutting energy regulations to reduce electricity and transportation costs. > “Unleash American energy production to lower gas and electricity bills.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) > “Invest in domestic oil production, drastically reducing the price you pay at the pump.” > — David Flippo, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Flippo) ### Defense, Military, and Veterans Salience: medium **Teresa Benitez-Thompson:** No documented position in our sources **David Flippo:** Strengthen military and support veterans As a 24-year Air Force combat veteran, Flippo emphasizes strong national defense and robust veteran support. He pledges to increase defense spending to modernize capabilities against adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran, while expanding healthcare and compensation for veterans exposed to toxic hazards. - Advocates increasing federal defense spending to modernize force readiness. - Supports expanding healthcare, mental health services, and employment opportunities for veterans. - Committed to securing federal compensation and care for Nevada Test and Training Range veterans exposed to toxic radiation. > “Fully fund and modernize our military.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) > “Advocate for improved veteran healthcare, mental health services, and job opportunities after military service.” > — David Flippo, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Flippo) ### Agriculture and Rural Lands Salience: medium **Teresa Benitez-Thompson:** No documented position in our sources **David Flippo:** Protect rural interests and public lands Flippo, who serves as Nevada State Director for Turning Point Farmers and Ranchers, vows to protect rural Nevadans against federal environmental litigation. He promises to defend water, grazing, and mining rights while expanding rural roads and broadband access. - Pledges to stop environmental lawfare targeting agricultural producers. - Defends water rights, grazing rights, mining access, and public land use. - Supports federal investments in rural roads, broadband infrastructure, and energy access. > “Fight radical environmental lawfare killing jobs, making it impossible for farmers and ranchers to turn a profit.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) > “Defend water rights, grazing, mining, and public lands.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) ### Elections and Governance Salience: medium **Teresa Benitez-Thompson:** No documented position in our sources **David Flippo:** Enact voter ID and term limits Flippo advocates for federal election integrity standards and congressional reform. He supports passing the SAVE Act to mandate photo ID and proof of citizenship for voting, banning ballot harvesting, and enacting constitutional term limits for members of Congress. - Supports passing the SAVE Act to require photo voter ID and proof of citizenship. - Signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge supporting a constitutional amendment for congressional term limits. - Advocates banning ballot harvesting and cleaning voter rolls. > “Pass the SAVE ACT -- The overwhelming majority of Americans agree that voter ID and proof of citizenship is a must.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) > “That is why I signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge.” > — David Flippo, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Flippo) ### Gun Rights Salience: low **Teresa Benitez-Thompson:** No documented position in our sources **David Flippo:** Protect Second Amendment rights Flippo strongly opposes federal gun control measures, framing Second Amendment rights as an essential constitutional freedom. His stance is backed by endorsements from leading gun rights organizations. - Vows to oppose any federal restrictions on Second Amendment rights. - Endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Gun Owners of America (GOA). > “I will oppose any attempt to restrict the Second Amendment and always defend the rights of law-abiding Americans to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.” > — David Flippo, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Flippo) > “Protect the 2nd Amendment.” > — David Flippo, via [Campaign site](https://flippo4nv.com/) ### Artificial Intelligence Salience: low **Teresa Benitez-Thompson:** No documented position in our sources **David Flippo:** Free market development with safety limits Flippo supports market-led development of artificial intelligence while maintaining national security controls. He emphasizes keeping the U.S. ahead of China in technology while preventing AI from replacing jobs or eroding human responsibility. - Advocates market-driven AI development alongside national security safeguards. - Stresses the importance of maintaining technological superiority over foreign adversaries like China. - Warns against overreliance on AI replacing American jobs or human control. > “The government should allow free markets to drive the development of artificial intelligence while ensuring America leads the world in this technology.” > — David Flippo, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Flippo) > “Safety must come first, and that means preventing AI from ever reaching a point where it undermines human control.” > — David Flippo, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Flippo) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/nv-02-house-election-winner) — NV-02 House Election Winner: Republicans 60.5%, Democrats 39.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-NV02-26) — NV-02 House winner?: David Flippo 61.0%, Teresa Benitez-Thompson 40.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-nv-02)