TL/DR –
Republican Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada has announced his plan to retire at the end of his current term. He has represented the state’s 2nd Congressional District since 2011 and served as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s Homeland Security Subcommittee since 2024. His decision to retire comes as a surprise, as he had previously indicated his intention to run for re-election, and his departure will leave the 2nd Congressional District, a traditionally Republican stronghold, open for contest in the upcoming elections.
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With Over A Decade in Congress, Nevada’s Rep. Mark Amodei To Step Down
Mark Amodei, the only Republican representative in Nevada’s congressional delegation, has announced his decision to retire at the end of his current term. Having served the people of Nevada for more than a decade, the 67-year-old Congressman’s decision comes as a surprise, as he expressed his intention to seek re-election as recently as last year in an interview with the Nevada Appeal.
No Health Concerns or Election Worries Behind Retirement
Amodei reassured the public in a Friday interview with The Nevada Independent that his decision wasn’t influenced by health concerns or potential Republican losses in the 2026 midterms. He believes that his 15-year tenure, which includes serving in the state Legislature before assuming his congressional seat in 2011, has been a good run that saw him delivering solid work and respect to all.
Noteworthy Tenure on House Appropriations Committee
During his tenure, Amodei represented Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District and took on a significant role as the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s Homeland Security Subcommittee in 2024. This position enabled him to manage funding for the Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, among other agencies. He recently opined that the Trump administration needs to “pivot” its immigration enforcement strategy.
Republican Losses Could Boost Democrats in Midterm Elections
Amodei’s decision adds him to a growing list of Republicans exiting Congress, with Democrats poised to perform strongly in the upcoming midterms. His district, including Reno, Carson City, and Elko, is the only one in Nevada that isn’t a battleground for parties. It houses 196,000 registered Republicans, 122,000 Democrats, and 156,000 nonpartisans, making it significantly Republican-leaning according to The Cook Political Report.
Potential Replacements for Amodei’s Seat
Following Amodei’s unexpected announcement, speculation is rife over potential successors for his seat. Names such as Douglas County Commissioner Danny Tarkanian, 2024 Senate nominee Sam Brown, former Assemblyman Ken Gray, and attorney Joey Gilbert have surfaced, although none have confirmed their candidacy. Air Force veteran Tony Grady, who lost the 2024 Republican primary for U.S. Senate, is reportedly “very interested” in the seat.
Amodei’s Political Legacy and Future Prospects
Before his political career, Amodei, a Carson City native, served in the Army and worked as a lawyer. He was a state senator in 1999 and served as president pro tempore in the Senate for five years. As a congressman, he was known for his pragmatic conservative stance, advocating immigration reform and supporting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. He faced controversy for his support of the Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act and has been embroiled in various lands issues during his tenure.
Implications for Upcoming Elections
With Amodei’s departure, Democrats see a potential opportunity. Greg Kidd, venture capitalist and a notable candidate, who ran against Amodei in 2024 as an independent and is now running as a Democrat, has already loaned his campaign $350,000. Kidd believes that the open seat brings the race into the national spotlight.
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