Just three days after announcing his campaign for Congress in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, retired Air Force Lt. Col. David Flippo has quickly emerged as a rallying point for the MAGA and populist wing of the Republican Party, earning a wave of endorsements from major grassroots organizations and conservative leaders nationwide.
In just three days, Flippo secured endorsements from Turning Point Action, Moms for America, the Oil and Gas Workers Association, and Veterans for America First, along with support from prominent conservative figures including Congressman Paul Gosar, Congressman Trent Kelly, former Congressman Allen West, and Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
The rapid show of support reflects a broad coalition of grassroots activists, veterans groups, and energy workers that form the backbone of the America First movement. Many of these organizations and leaders see Flippo as a strong advocate for the MAGA agenda in Nevada.
As a reliably Republican district, the voters of northern Nevada will get to select what type of Republican they want representing them. Former State Senate James Settelmeyer is a favorite of many community leaders, with a decades of service in the area – but in Nevada’s State Senate his voting record proved to be less conservative than some primary voters may want, earning him a D+ score from the American Conservative Union in 2021.
Settelmeyer is also an appointee of Governor Lombardo, and may well get the support of the Governor and outgoing Congressman Amodei.
However, Flippo’s military background has also resonated with voters. A retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, he commanded more than 1,000 airmen in Iraq, including being in Baghdad during the capture of the city, and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.
For a campaign only days old, the speed and breadth of these endorsements signal that the MAGA movement is rapidly coalescing behind Flippo’s candidacy in NV-2 as most established type Republicans rally behind Settelmeyer.
