Ex-Nevada Assembly Democrat leader unveils run to replace Amodei
Teresa Benitez-Thompson, the former Nevada Assembly majority leader and ex-chief of staff to Attorney General Aaron Ford, announced she is launching a Democratic bid to succeed retiring Rep. Mark Amodei in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District. She argues the district—covering reno, Sparks and northern rural counties—offers Democrats a potential pickup as Amodei steps down after 15 years. Amodei’s retirement leaves a strongly Republican-leaning seat, which backed Trump in 2024 and saw Amodei win reelection by about 20 points in the latest cycle. Other Democrats,including former state party executive director matthew fonken and investor Greg Kidd,have also expressed interest. Primary elections are expected in June, with the general election in November 2026. Benitez-Thompson said the changing political landscape creates a path forward for a community-rooted candidate who knows the district well, amid democrats’ hope to reclaim the House in a moment of GOP turnover under Speaker Mike Johnson.
Ex-Nevada Assembly leader launches Democratic House run after Amodei retirement
The top aide to Nevada’s attorney general on Tuesday revealed she is launching a Democratic campaign to succeed outgoing Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV).
Teresa Benitez-Thompson, who served as the Assembly majority leader before becoming Attorney General Aaron Ford’s chief of staff, believes the 2nd Congressional District represents a possible pickup opportunity for Democrats.
“Knowing that the landscape is changing, it made sense for me to relook at the race and realize, ‘Hey, there’s a path forward here, if we have a committed person who is from the community and knows [the district] really well.’ … That’s a path I want to walk,” she told the Nevada Independent.
Democrats hope to reclaim the House this year, as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) battles to hold on to his razor-thin majority in the lower chamber. Amodei is one of over 50 members in the lower chamber who have either resigned their seats or chosen to forgo reelection bids ahead of the 2026 elections amid growing concerns about dysfunction in Congress.
Benitez-Thompson suggested Amodei’s retirement signals troubles within the ruling Republican caucus.
“People are ready for different leadership,” she said. “I think that’s ultimately why Amodei decided to retire.”
Amodei announced his plans to retire last week, saying it was time “to pass the torch” after sitting in the House since 2011. His district includes Reno, Sparks, and a large portion of the state’s northern rural counties. It heavily favors Republicans, handing Trump a solid win in 2024, the same year Amodei won his last reelection bid by nearly 20 percentage points.
Several Democrats besides Benitez-Thompson have already announced their intentions to flip the seat blue. Those candidates include former state party executive director Matthew Fonken and investor Greg Kidd, who ran against Amodei as an independent in 2024.
HERE’S WHERE HOUSE AND SENATE RETIREMENTS STAND IN 2026
Benitez-Thompson represented Assembly District 27 in Washoe County from 2010 to 2022 and served as Assembly majority leader from 2016 until she left office.
Candidates from both major parties are expected to compete in primary elections scheduled for June, before November’s general election.
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