Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV2) answered the Washoe County Republican Party on Thursday, days after its central committee voted to stop recognizing him as a Republican.
In a statement addressed to Washoe GOP Chairman Bruce Parks, Amodei denied endorsing anyone in the CD2 race, mocked the size of the meeting that passed the resolution, and suggested the resolution read like a David Flippo campaign document.
The statement arrives five days before the Nov. 3 general election, with Flippo, the Republican nominee, facing Democrat Teresa Benitez-Thompson for the seat Amodei is leaving.
Amodei’s full statement
Released Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, as published by KOLO 8 and 2 News Nevada:
“Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for informing me on Tuesday about your Monday night voice vote on an emergency resolution condemning my views regarding candidate David Flippo.
“Let me first say, Mr. Chairman, that I know how you love facts. Your resolution says I endorsed another candidate in CD2. You and I both know I have endorsed no candidate in the CD2 election.
“I do want to take this opportunity however to thank you and express my heartfelt appreciation to the voters of Washoe County for their support over the last 8 election cycles. I am personally very proud of the fact that I have never lost in any county, including Washoe.
“While I completely respect the fact that you and the 90-ish people who were at your meeting Monday night can do whatever you see fit in terms of judging my opinions as a Republican voter in CD2, I do want you to know that I find solace in the fact that there are over 100,000 registered Republican voters in Washoe County, and I’m comfortable with my record of service to them all.
“I am curious as to who the author of your resolution is, as I am amused by the writing style. It reads like a David Flippo campaign deflection piece on what I believe are the real issues of the campaign.
“I was delighted to see your references to principles, philosophy, and platform and cannot wait to read your follow-on resolutions regarding candidates who repeatedly fail to file personal financial disclosures — candidates who exaggerate and purposefully spread false information regarding military service — and candidates who apparently are opposed to any transparency regarding personal background.
“Please let me know if and when you do any of these resolutions and I will send someone over to pick up a copy while they are still hot off the press. By the way, if you decide to adopt any other resolutions regarding the Bill of Rights including freedom of speech, I’d like to see that too.
“I wish you and the Central Committee all the best in your endeavors and am proud to have represented and supported you all these years in the United States House of Representatives.
“Have a great day, Mr. Chairman.”
Statement from Mark Amodei on Washoe County GOP Resolution:
https://t.co/v8zusDGOoF
— Mark Amodei (@AmodeiForNevada) October 29, 2026
How it started
Amodei has said publicly that he will not vote for Flippo. In a recent CNN interview, he said he would not be able to look in the mirror after voting for the Republican this time, according to 2 News Nevada.
His office confirmed the week before that he cast his ballot for Lynn Chapman, the Independent American Party candidate. Amodei had backed longtime state legislator James Settelmeyer in the GOP primary, which Flippo won.
Amodei’s statement draws a line between voting for Chapman and endorsing her. He says he has endorsed no one in the CD2 general election, which the Washoe GOP resolution disputes in its framing.
The Washoe GOP resolution
The Washoe Republican Central Committee adopted the resolution Monday night, Oct. 26. It declares the party no longer recognizes Amodei as a Republican and says it will not endorse or support him for any public office, per KOLO 8.
The resolution argues the party’s brand is weakened when Republicans back opponents of its nominees, calling such conduct contrary to Republican principles.
Chairman Bruce Parks told 2 News the measure was debated and passed unanimously. He said the issue was less Amodei’s vote than his decision to announce it: “Keep it to yourself.” Parks said the party emailed Amodei’s team before going public and got only a receipt confirmation.
The Washoe GOP took similar action last year against Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson, who was expelled after supporting a public-lands bill from Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen.
With early voting closing today, the outgoing congressman is openly at odds with the party organization in the county that holds about two-thirds of his district’s population, and the CD2 race will be decided on Tuesday.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI.
