Newsdata · Florida Politics

GOP Establishment Candidate Trump Backed Plans to Replace Rep. Mark Amodei, Faces Sethlemzey

GOP frontrunner David Flippo, backed by Trump, is challenged by former state Senate Republican leader James Settelmeyer in the June 9 primary to replace retiring Rep. mark Amodei (R-NV). The race also tests Trump's endorsement strength after his defeat in the Iowa primary and his tensions with Rep. James Settelmeyer, who is backed by both Governor Joe Lombardo (R-NV) and Amodei, despite Trump's endorsements of both candidates. With eleven other candidates in the mix, Flippo and Settelmeyer are considered the front-runners. Settelmeyer has a long legislative resume, previously serving as state Senate minority leader and director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, while Flippo has received endorsements from Turning Point Action, Freedom Caucus, and the Club for Growth, a coNservative advocacy group that has invested in his campaign. The potential strains between Trump and Lombardo,who backed the losing GOP nominee in last week's Iowa primary, is another aspect of the race. Unlike his relationships with the club-based allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose endorsement Trump has - much as he did for former Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), Trump's apparent bitterness towards Lombardo is evident in his criticism of him on Truth Social. However, their relationship remains calm, despite unresolved tensions from previous campaigns, as evidenced by Trump's continued support for Lombardo ahead of the upcoming election.