A safe GOP seat in northern Nevada turns competitive after questions over a candidate's valor claims

Nevada's 2nd Congressional District was drawn in 1981 to be reliably Republican, and Democrats have never come close to winning it. This year, Republicans are spending to defend it.

The GOP nominee, David Flippo, won his primary with President Trump's endorsement. But he has been dogged by questions about how his campaign described his military service and about his ties to the district, which covers Reno and much of rural northern Nevada.

"This seat is some kind of competitive like it has never been in the history since it was created," said Rep. Mark Amodei, the retiring Republican who has held the seat for 15 years. "I attribute it to the candidate and the way he's run his campaign."

The 'valor' controversy

The Washington Post first reported that Flippo's campaign repeatedly described him as a recipient of the Bronze Star "for valor." Flippo did receive a Bronze Star, but not with the "V" device, which recognizes bravery in combat, a distinction most veterans notice.

Flippo apologized, blamed a young staffer for mixing up language from an award his whole unit received, and told NPR he accepts responsibility. "Part of leadership is taking ownership," he said. "It was just an honest oversight." Asked about photos showing him wearing "V" pins on a ball cap, he said his grandchildren had put them there. The campaign removed the photo from its website after the interview.

Flippo had been running for Congress in Las Vegas earlier this year before switching to the open northern seat when Amodei announced his retirement. "This is a strong conservative district," he said, adding that supporters wanted "somebody that is more conservative in this seat."

Money moves in

Republican super PACs have reserved more than $1 million in TV and digital ads to help Flippo, according to AdImpact. "They must have gotten a poll and had a five alarm fire at headquarters," said Jon Ralston, founder of The Nevada Independent, who remains skeptical a Democrat can win in a district Trump carried by 14 points.

A hometown Democrat

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has added Teresa Benitez-Thompson, a former state legislator, to its "Red to Blue" program. "In the state legislature, Teresa was known for crossing the aisle and doing what's right for Northern Nevadans," DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene said.

Benitez-Thompson, a former Miss Nevada raising four children in Reno, emphasizes her lifelong roots in the area, a pointed contrast with her opponent, and talks constantly about gas and grocery prices. "No one has to give me talking points on the cost of groceries," she tells voters. "I know exactly what a full grocery cart looks like."

Republicans and independents still far outnumber Democrats in the district. "Literally if someone stands still for 5 seconds, I will talk to them," she said. "We have focused a lot on reaching outside our Democratic circle."