Retired Eureka County Sheriff Becomes First Republican to Jump Into Nevada’s CD2 Race
The race to replace Congressman Mark Amodei is officially underway.
Retired Eureka County Sheriff Jesse Watts has become the first Republican to announce his candidacy for Nevada’s Second Congressional District.
Amodei, who has represented CD2 since 2011, announced his retirement earlier this month. That opened the door to one of the most important congressional seats in Nevada.
Who Is Jesse Watts?
Watts served as Eureka County Sheriff beginning in 2019. He built a name for himself as a straight-talking lawman who pushed back hard against government overreach. He’s well known across rural Nevada, where he earned respect by standing up for constitutional rights — including a very public stand against Nevada’s Red Flag Law back in 2020.
In a letter to then-Governor Steve Sisolak at the time, Watts wrote,:
“As the elected Sheriff of Eureka County, Nevada, it is my duty and responsibility to stand with my citizens and against you and unconstitutional government overreach.”
That kind of plain-spoken conservatism plays well in a district that stretches from Washoe County ranches to the remote mining towns of White Pine and Eureka.
Watts also aligned himself with the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, a group that believes county sheriffs are the ultimate constitutional authority in their jurisdictions. That philosophy resonates deeply with rural Nevadans who’ve spent years watching federal agencies intrude on their land and livelihoods.
Why He’s Running
Watts laid out his case in a clear-eyed campaign announcement. Nevada, he says, is unlike anywhere else in America.
“Nevada deserves battle-born leadership that understands our diverse communities, respects our Constitution, and will fight for our families, our freedoms, and our future,” Watts wrote.
He makes a point that conservatives in this district know well. The problems facing Elko or Ely are nothing like the problems facing Las Vegas. One-size-fits-all mandates written by Washington bureaucrats don’t work for ranchers, miners, and small-town families who want the government to leave them alone.
“I have served in communities where backup was minutes away, and in places where help could be hours out,” Watts said.
“I have seen firsthand how different our needs are across this state. One-size-fits-all policies written in Washington simply do not work for Nevada, especially Northern Nevada.”
That message speaks directly to the heart of limited government conservatism. Northern Nevada doesn’t need more federal programs. It needs fewer federal mandates and more local control.
The Full Picture
No candidate comes without a backstory, and voters deserve the full one.
Watts resigned from the Eureka County Sheriff’s Office in November 2024 amid a recall effort that gathered enough signatures to trigger an election. He has since filed a civil lawsuit against Eureka County, alleging that county officials conducted improper investigations into his conduct using non-law enforcement personnel in violation of Nevada’s Peace Officer Bill of Rights.
The county has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. Watts disputes the circumstances of his departure, and that legal battle remains ongoing.
A Field Taking Shape — But Not Yet Set
Watts is the first out of the gate, but he almost certainly won’t be the only Republican in this race.
Nevada Controller Andy Matthews, a former state assemblyman and past president of the Nevada Policy Research Institute, has been widely mentioned as a top potential candidate. Matthews is currently running for re-election as Controller and has not announced for CD2, but conservative commentators have taken notice.
Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Victor Joecks recently wrote that Matthews is:
“smart, articulate and measured,” and that his “conservative values aren’t for show.”
Also watching the race closely is Sam Brown, the decorated Army veteran and 2024 U.S. Senate nominee who now serves as Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs in the Trump administration. Brown is still reportedly weighing whether to make the jump to CD2. If he enters, the primary field gets much more competitive very quickly.
Filing doesn’t open until March 2nd, so expect more names in the coming weeks.
What Conservatives Can Do
Whether Watts is your candidate or not, now is the time to pay close attention. Show up to candidate forums. Ask hard questions. Demand real answers on policy, not just talking points.
The CD2 primary on June 9th will likely determine who represents Northern Nevada for years to come.
Watts says he didn’t retire from service; he just took off the badge. Northern Nevada voters will decide if he’s ready for a new role in Washington.
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. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
