In a major coup for his campaign, Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) and Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) are endorsing former state Senate Minority Leader James Settelmeyer (R) in the crowded open race for the Northern Nevada district. 

The endorsements mark a boost for Settelmeyer from the state's two most prominent Republicans — one of whom had promised to not intervene in the primary — even as some national MAGA voices back his primary opponent David Flippo (R).

"I'm proud to endorse James Settelmeyer for Congress," Lombardo wrote in an exclusive statement to The Nevada Independent. "James is a lifelong Nevadan, a rancher, and a proven leader who has spent his career standing up for our state's families, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. 

"From his years in the Nevada Legislature to his service in state government, James has always been a strong advocate for commonsense solutions and conservative values. I'm confident he will bring that same commitment to Washington and fight to ensure the voices of northern Nevada are heard."

Soon after Amodei's surprise retirement announcement in February, state Republicans told The Nevada Independent that Settelmeyer was among the governor's top picks for the seat — the state's only GOP-held House district. The 2nd Congressional District is unquestionably conservative, with Republicans making up a plurality of registered voters, including in the population center of Washoe County. The Cook Political Report rates the district R+7, although Democrats believe they have an outside chance to flip it given the national political environment.

Settelmeyer, who stepped down as the director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on Friday, thanked Lombardo and Amodei for their support. 

"I am honored to have the support of Congressman Mark Amodei and Governor Joe Lombardo, two leaders who have fought hard for Nevada and for the conservative values we share," he wrote in a statement to The Indy. "I am especially grateful for Congressman Amodei's confidence and for his years of service representing Nevada's Second Congressional District." 

Amodei had said he was unlikely to endorse in the primary for his seat barring "some kind of strange circumstance, or where you're trying to avoid a weird outcome."

In a pointed statement to The Indy, the congressman explained why he changed his mind. 

"While it is not my habit to get involved in Republican primaries, when I see campaigns that are driven by ambition and anxiousness to start a mud fight before the filing period was even over — I'm making an exception," he wrote. "This is the only business where those who love to mislead can take any voting record and turn it into their talking points. I was labeled a 'RINO' in every primary campaign I ran in CD-2. Voters were not fooled then, and you shouldn't be now."

Though he did not mention his name, Amodei aimed his fire at Flippo, a small-business owner and retired lieutenant colonel who swapped races from the 4th Congressional District after Amodei retired.

"For eight cycles in a row, CD-2 voters have strongly supported conservative values and an absolute laser focus on the issues facing our communities, our families, our state, and our businesses," Amodei wrote. "That laser focus isn't something that someone gets by taking a crash course in Nevada as it exists north of Indian Springs.

"While everybody loves to be on TV in this business, I attribute my success over the last 15 years to a deep-rooted commitment to 'this place,'" he continued. "Growing up, raising a family, and earning a living here gives someone an invaluable understanding of this district, its challenges, its priorities, and the people who call it home. Serving Nevadans is an honor I have never taken for granted. 

"Our next member of Congress should not be a 30-day 'move in' backed by a Vegas-paid manager. Nevada voters appreciate and respond to a campaign that's run on the issues and not tearing everybody else in a race apart just for perceived political advantage. Consultants love to start mudslinging contests for the simple fact that it makes races more expensive, and the consultants make more money. That conduct is an indicator of a candidate with no vision."

Amodei also praised Settelmeyer's career. After chairing the Nevada State Conservation Commission and the Carson Valley Conservation District and serving two terms in the state Assembly, the fourth-generation Nevadan served in the state Senate for a decade, including four years as minority leader. 

"James Settelmeyer has, by far, the only, and for sure the longest running, elected public service record in this race," Amodei wrote. "He knows rural issues and he knows urban issues. He is one of us and would serve our 'original Nevada' in a truly outstanding fashion. I hope upon reflection that you'll agree, and vote for James to be Nevada's Congressman."

Who has MAGA cred?

The endorsements for Settelmeyer came as Flippo rolled out support from President Donald Trump's former acting director of national intelligence and ambassador to Germany Ric Grenell, who recently served as director of the Kennedy Center. Flippo also released new endorsements from one former congressman and three sitting ones.

In a statement shared with The Nevada Independent, Grenell wrote, "Nevada is so important. It is one of those states that we must win. And having somebody like my friend David in Congress is exactly how we're going to put America first."

One of the congressmen, Rep. Eric Burlinson (R-MO), called Flippo "a rock ribbed conservative" and wrote, "Congress doesn't need any more go along to get along politicians who campaign as conservatives and vote like woke liberals — we need fighters."

UNR political science professor Jeremy Gelman said Amodei built goodwill that allowed him to repeatedly win re-election, even as he sometimes criticized Trump. Now that the seat is open, Flippo may have more success positioning himself as the most MAGA of them all. 

"Flippo tends to be what we see across the country in Republican local politics, an outsider with the MAGA credentials trying to run the 'shake up Washington D.C., but also support the president all at the same time,' sort of campaign," Gelman said. "Settelmeyer is much more in line with what this district has elected for a very long time."

Settelmeyer has a base of support among his former colleagues and other Northern Nevadans, such as Nevada Trucking Association CEO Paul Enos. Flippo, on the other hand, has previously rolled out a slew of national endorsements from big MAGA names, including former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and Turning Point Action, the conservative advocacy group founded by the late Charlie Kirk. 

In a Friday interview with The Nevada Independent before the new endorsements, Nevada Republican Party Chair Michael McDonald sounded especially excited about Turning Point, which opened its Las Vegas headquarters this month and has also backed Lombardo. 

"Turning Point being involved is enormous," he said. "Having them here in Nevada is fantastic." 

But McDonald also said endorsements would not decide the race.

"Endorsements are nice," McDonald said. "Obviously, every time I run, I've always liked to have endorsements, but you better know the issues."

Asked if it would matter to voters that Flippo isn't from the district, McDonald said, "No," adding, "There's a lot of people that live somewhere else and now they're moving into the district." 

Instead, he emphasized that GOP voters want a conservative candidate who will go to the mat for them. He highlighted federal funding, water and traffic as some of voters' most pressing concerns. He had nothing bad to say about any of the candidates and repeatedly praised Lombardo and Amodei. 

Will Trump endorse?

Gelman, the UNR professor, said there's only one endorsement sure to matter. 

"It's not obvious who Republicans in this district in Nevada in general take their cues from, besides Donald Trump," Gelman said. "That's not to say he's the be all, end all of it, but when he endorses, Republicans seem to listen. Traditional endorsements from other Republican politicians may not carry the same weight."

McDonald, who said he speaks directly to the president nearly every week, did not know of any imminent plans for Trump to weigh in. 

The GOP chairman said he regularly fills Trump in on the state of the race, including grassroots attitudes and the pros and cons of each candidate. 

"I don't play favorite candidates, but I tell him what this consultant is doing, what that consultant is doing, what's going to be taking place," McDonald said. "So he's informed."

What interests the president the most? McDonald said Trump really wants to know about the candidates' loyalty to the party and where they stand with working people. He added that the president is especially eager to learn about what the candidates did before they ran for office, their past votes, and any blemishes on their military or law enforcement records.

Asked what the president thinks of Amodei, McDonald said, "I'm a very, very strong supporter of Congressman Amodei. I've known him for 30 years, and I consider him a dear friend. I think he's been phenomenal for the state. You know, we've never really had direct conversation about Congressman Amodei, but every time we had an event, he made sure Congressman Amodei was front and center."