Republican Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada announced Friday that he will retire from the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of his current term, adding to a growing list of GOP lawmakers leaving Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
After 15 years in Washington, Amodei said in a statement that “it is the right time for Nevada and myself to pass the torch.” He plans to complete the term to which he was elected before stepping down.
From Carson City to Capitol Hill
Amodei, 67, is an American lawyer and Republican politician from Carson City. Before coming to Congress, he served in the Nevada Assembly beginning in 1996, then in the Nevada State Senate from 1999 to 2010, building a long résumé in state politics.
He was first elected to the U.S. House in a special election on Sept. 13, 2011, filling the vacancy left when Dean Heller moved to the U.S. Senate. Amodei won that race with about 58% of the vote.
A Long Tenure in a Safe GOP Seat
Since 2011, Amodei has represented Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, which spans the northern half of the state, including Reno, Carson City, and large rural counties. He was reelected repeatedly — in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 — usually by comfortable double-digit margins.
In 2024, Amodei won reelection with 55% of the vote, even with an independent challenger finishing second. In prior cycles, his margins were even larger, reflecting the district’s conservative lean.
Power Player on Appropriations
During his House career, Amodei became a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and served as chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, giving him significant influence over federal spending and border security funding. (RELATED: Briefing Raises Questions About Rep. Tlaib’s Associations, Citing Security Concerns)
His departure removes a seasoned appropriator from the Republican conference at a time when internal GOP battles over spending and national security remain intense.
NV-2: Still Republican, But Now Open
Nevada’s 2nd District has historically leaned Republican, with a Cook Political Report rating of “Solid Republican” before Amodei’s retirement and a partisan lean around R+7. While a large share of voters are registered as nonpartisan, GOP candidates have consistently prevailed.
Amodei’s exit, however, opens the door to a competitive GOP primary — and potentially a closer general election if Democrats play their cards right. (RELATED: GOP Watches Closely As MTG’s Former District Shows Signs Of Trouble)
Succession Watch: Who’s Next?
With the seat now open, attention is turning to who might run to replace Amodei. Political observers expect current or former statewide officials, northern Nevada legislators, and local elected leaders to consider entering the race, though no single heir apparent has emerged.
Several Republican and Democratic candidates have already filed for the 2026 contest, but the field remains unsettled. While Democrats face an uphill climb given the district’s voting history, an open seat — combined with a fractured GOP primary — could make the race more competitive than usual.
A Growing GOP Exit List
Amodei’s announcement makes him the 30th House Republican to announce plans not to seek reelection in 2026, as the party works to defend the narrowest House majority in nearly 100 years.
Each new retirement tightens the margin for error — and forces GOP leaders to play defense in districts they once considered safely in their grasp.
READ NEXT: Marsha Blackburn Calls For Investigation Into Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Grammy Appearance
