That’s a quote by conservative super-strategist Richard Viguerie, known affectionately as the “Funding Father” of the conservative movement thanks to his pioneering use of direct mail dating way back to the 1960s.
Yet, for some reason, Republican leaders, donors, and many voters play Pontius Pilot and wash their hands of primary contests – often resulting the worst possible nominee to limp into the general election vs. the Democrats.
Democrats play to win. Republicans play to be “fair.”
And how’s that worked out – especially in Nevada when it comes to the Legislature?
With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at the huge, multi-candidate primary race that just popped up yesterday with Rep. Mark Amodei’s surprise retirement announcement in Nevada’s 2nd congressional district – about as rock-solid for Republicans as it gets.
Prominent names being bandied about include former Attorney General Adam Laxalt, State Controller Andy Matthews, Douglas County Commissioner Danny Tarkanian, former gubernatorial candidate Joey Gilbert, former lieutenant governor candidate Tony Grady, former State Sen. James Settelmeyer . . . and several players to be named later.
Let’s start with Laxalt. He’s already ruled out a run for the seat. So, onward.
Matthews is a young, well-regarded conservative known to have higher political aspirations. Not sure of his residence. He’s a former state assemblyman from Clark County – but there’s no residence requirement for congressional seats.
As a statewide elected official, Matthews is already pretty well known in CD2’s Washoe and rural counties and has been a prolific fundraiser in his campaigns – including his first campaign for Nevada’s 3rd congressional district in 2016.
He’s also tight with Laxalt – and Laxalt’s quick announcement that he won’t run could be a sign that he’s clearing the field for a Matthews run.
If Matthews runs, that leaves an opening for his Controller seat – which would be an excellent opportunity for Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama, currently running in a hotly-contested Clark County commission primary vs. Albert Mack.
Kasama is a CPA with an extensive background in accounting – which is EXACTLY what the Controller’s job is all about.
Tark ran for the seat in 2022, losing to Amodei in the primary. Hard to see him pass up this rare opportunity in a solid GOP district where you can be mega-MAGA and still win the general.
And if he throws his hat in the ring – rather than continue his campaign for attorney general – that would remove an expected bitter primary against Adriana Guzmán Fralick.
That would be a good thing for Republicans.
Gilbert had a legion of passionate statewide supporters for his gubernatorial primary against Gov. Joe Lombardo in 2022.
If he can reactivate them, he’d be a serious contender – though I still wish he’d run for Secretary of State, where the GOP has yet to field a credible, viable candidate.
Grady, highly regarded former Air Force test pilot, did extremely well in Nevada’s rural counties for his 2022 race for lieutenant governor and 2024 race for U.S. Senate.
His Achilles heel has been in Clark County – which is NOT part of CD2. So he’d be competitive in a multi-candidate CD2 primary.
Settelmeyer currently serves as Director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in the Lombardo administration.
A rancher, he’s highly regarded and well liked in the rurals, but has been out of the campaign spotlight since being term-limited from his state senate seat in 2022.
Other prominent names could still emerge – as well as a dozen or so wannabes and gadflies who won’t pass up such a golden opportunity for such a rare open congressional seat in a solid GOP district where the primary winner might only need 25% of the vote.
Heck, Sharron Angle might even run again.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!
UPDATE: February 7, 2026: Nevada State Sen. Ira Hansen announced he was thinking about it.
UPDATE: February 8, 2026: Victor Joecks reports that former U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown – now working in the Trump administration – is under consideration for the seat, but no indication (yet) from Brown that he’s thinking of it.
UPDATE: February 8, 2026: Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Guy Norha takes himself out of the mix, saying: “I would rather fight ISIS in Kurdistan than be in the same body as Ilhan Omar or Rashida Tlaib and other ingrates towards our amazing country.”
