Former Air Force Officer Flippo Seeks Nevada Congress Seat With Trump Backing, Eyes Iran Policy Support

A retired Air Force officer with extensive Middle East deployment experience has secured the Republican nomination for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District and is now positioning himself as the conservative alternative in a competitive race. Dave Flippo, who served as a maintenance and logistics officer during the 2003 Iraq invasion, won the primary despite facing an establishment-backed challenger from the state legislature.

Flippo’s victory reflected the district’s conservative leanings, with the nominee capturing support from prominent conservative organizations and an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. The R+7 district, which Trump won by 14 percentage points in 2024, represents the northern portion of a state that has emerged as a critical political battleground west of the Mississippi River.

The candidate has centered his campaign message on fiscal conservatism, pledging to address the national debt that now approaches $40 trillion. Flippo argues that Congress must implement a balanced budget and curtail government expansion, positioning himself as fundamentally different from career politicians he characterizes as overly moderate.

Drawing on his military background, Flippo has expressed strong support for Trump’s approach to Iran policy, framing it as a conclusion to decades of conflict rather than the beginning of a new war. He contends that opening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iranian influence through proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas represents necessary action in the Middle East.

His opponent is former Nevada Assembly Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson, whom Flippo accuses of supporting excessive government spending and tax increases. Flippo points to her legislative record, including votes on Planned Parenthood funding and driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, as evidence of a fundamentally different philosophical approach to governance.

Immigration enforcement has emerged as another defining issue for Flippo, who warns that the influx of 20 to 30 million people over the past six years has strained public services and driven up housing costs. He frames illegal immigration as an economic problem requiring immediate congressional attention and stricter border policies.

Despite the district’s Republican registration advantage, Flippo acknowledges the competitive nature of the race and emphasizes the importance of turnout operations. He views Trump’s regional popularity and endorsement, combined with support from Governor Joe Lombardo, as critical assets in securing victory in northern Nevada.