Mark Amodei

President Donald Trump endorsed David Flippo on Friday, May 29 in Nevada’s Second Congressional District race to replace retiring Rep. Mark Amodei.

The winner of June 9’s Republican primary will become the odds-on favorite to win the seat in the strong red district representing the state’s largely rural northern half.

Thirteen Republicans are competing; Flippo and James Settelmeyer are considered the frontrunners.

Flippo is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force who lived in Las Vegas in recent years. He got a home in Reno after Amodei announced he would not seek reelection.

He’s also been endorsed by Turning Point Action, a political advocacy group founded by Charlie Kirk.

Settelmeyer is a rancher from Douglas County who had a long career in the Nevada Legislature and most recently led the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He’s been endorsed by Amodei and Gov. Joe Lombardo and lists being Trump campaign co-chair on his campaign website.

Trump endorsed Lombardo for reelection.

“David Flippo has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump wrote on social media.

The president’s endorsement carries big weight with many Republican voters. In May 19 primaries in six states — Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon and Pennsylvania — Trump-backed candidates swept their races.

Woodrow Johnston from Flippo’s campaign told the Reno Gazette Journal that the candidate was grateful for the president’s faith and full endorsement.

“Voters must decide now if they want a fighter for the America First agenda or a career politician who voted against everything President Trump has stood for,” he said in a statement. “We’re confident in Northern Nevada to make the right choice.”

Settelmeyer’s campaign noted that it’s halfway through early voting and the candidate plans to keep working hard for votes.

“Ultimately, Northern Nevada voters will decide this election, and they deserve a representative who knows our issues, understands our communities, and has the experience to represent them in Washington, not someone who only moved here when a political opportunity opened up,” said Greg Bailor in a statement.

Other candidates running in Nevada’s CD2 Republican primary are Jennifer Billat, Tom Doyle, George Forbush, Bruce Grego, Andrea Lowe, Jerry Olsen, Rick Shepherd, Fred Simon Jr., Mike Smith, Sherman Tylawsky and Jesse Watts.

This story has been updated with additional information.