Mark Amodei

Douglas County rancher and former Nevada Senate Minority Leader James Settelmeyer filed March 6 to run for U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei’s seat in Congress.

Because of his name recognition and long history in Northern Nevada, Settelmeyer is expected to be a strong contender.

He’s first got to survive June’s primary where Republican voters will have at least 12 candidates to choose from.

Only the top vote-getter will move ahead to November’s general election to face the winner of the Democratic primary, along with any third-party and nonpartisan candidates who qualify for the ballot.

“I believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the power of local communities to shape their own future,” Settelmeyer said in a campaign announcement. “I will fight to secure our borders, strengthen our economy, and preserve the freedoms that make Nevada and America exceptional.”

Settelmeyer fought 2019 tax increases approved by Democrats in the Nevada Legislature.

Carson City District Court and the Nevada Supreme Court both ruled the tax increases were unconstitutional because they did not receive the required two-thirds legislative approval. More than $100 million was ordered to be paid back to taxpayers.

The House seat — Nevada’s Second Congressional District — leans heavily red and is generally considered a safe Republican seat. It covers the top half of the state, including Reno and much of rural Nevada.

The candidate filing window lasts through Friday, March 13.

What Republicans are running for Amodei’s CD2 seat in Nevada?

As of Friday afternoon, March 6, 10 candidates have officially filed to run for Nevada’s CD2 seat.

They are:

Jennifer Billat

Tom Doyle

George Forbush

Kameron Hawkins

Andrea Lowe

Jerry Olsen

James Settelmeyer

Rick Shepherd

Fred Simon

Monica Jaye Stabbert

Sherman Tylawsky

Jesse Watts

Diane “Nevada Moon” Sullivan has also declared her intention to run for the seat but has not filed yet.

What Democrats are running for Amodei’s CD2 seat in Nevada?

Although Republicans outnumber Democrats in Nevada’s Second Congressional District by about 80,000, Democrats see a sliver of hope — particularly if there’s a blue wave of dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and Republicans generally. Republicans have majorities in both the U.S. House and Senate.

The Democrats who have officially filed to run for CD2 as of March 6 are:

Kathy Durham

Josh Hebert

Johnny Kerns

Other Democrats who have declared their intention to run for the seat are: Teresa Benitez-Thompson, Matthew Fonken, Greg Kidd, Morgan Wadsworth and Sam White.

(This story has been updated with additional information.)