James Settelmeyer
NV-02 Republican nominee?
$103.1K
JUN 10, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age55 years old (Mar 6, 1971)
GenderMale
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LocationNevada
BackgroundAgriculturalist
EducationCalifornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (B.S.)
Notable personal detailsJames Arnold Settelmeyer is a Nevada Republican politician and agriculturalist who served in the Nevada Assembly (2006–2010) and Nevada Senate representing District 17 (2010–2022), including as Senate Minority Leader (2018–2022). He has worked as a rancher/agriculturalist and has served in conservation and natural resources-related roles, including as director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. In 2026, he filed as a Republican candidate for U.S. House Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports limiting new or higher taxes and opposes extending business/payroll taxes; advocates protecting the state Rainy Day Fund from legislative raids and preserving supermajority requirements for tax increases. Emphasizes avoiding tax increases that could be passed to consumers and prioritizes spending restraint.
Healthcare
The candidate has sponsored and presented legislation to revise Medicaid rules to allow Medicaid recipients to directly receive reimbursement and to use personal funds to supplement caregiver payments, and supported Medicaid policy changes focused on flexibility and consumer-directed care rather than broad public expansions. His public legislative activity addresses Medicaid program design and reimbursement mechanisms.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate opposes abortion and has stated that life begins at conception; he has supported legislative measures that would impose restrictions such as parental-notification requirements for minors.
Climate & Energy
Supports development of Nevada’s natural resources and affordable energy while balancing conservation concerns; has opposed major climate legislation and prioritized economic growth and mining alongside some support for renewable energy measures. Holds roles (former state senator, chair of Commerce, Labor and Energy, and director of Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) that reflect a preference for market-driven and resource-development approaches to energy and conservation.
Public Safety & Guns
Opposes expanded gun-control measures such as universal background checks and has criticized recently proposed background-check legislation in Nevada; has sponsored bills and taken positions favorable to gun owners’ rights (including easing rules for permit holders). Supports limiting red-flag/confiscation-style measures and frames such laws as overreach.
News
James Settelmeyer is in the news because he is running in the Republican primary for Nevada’s open 2nd Congressional District seat. Early results show him narrowly trailing David Flippo by fewer than 1,000 votes. The race has become a test of whether GOP voters prefer Settelmeyer, a former state senator backed by Gov. Joe Lombardo and other Nevada Republicans, or Flippo, who has Donald Trump’s endorsement.
backed vs. experienced replacement for Rep. Mark Amodei
2 face off for GOP spot in Nevada primary
Nevada Republicans to decide on replacement for Rep. Mark Amodei
Fewer than 1,000 votes separate Flippo-Settelmeyer in Nevada CD2 race
Endorsements
Endorsers of James Settelmeyer for NV-02 Republican nominee?
Jesse Watts
Public figure
Jesse Watts endorsed James Settelmeyer for Congress after suspending his own bid.
Gov. Joe Lombardo
Public endorsement
Gov. Joe Lombardo endorsed James Settelmeyer for Congress.
Rep. Mark Amodei
Public endorsement
Rep. Mark Amodei endorsed James Settelmeyer for Congress.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls