Rep. Mark Amodei has released a statement after the Washoe County Republican Party criticized the congressman for publicly saying he will not vote for David Flippo to replace him.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for informing me on Tuesday about your Monday night voice vote on an emergency resolution condemning my views regarding candidate David Flippo.
“Let me first say, Mr. Chairman, that I know how you love facts. Your resolution says I endorsed another candidate in CD2. You and I both know I have endorsed no candidate in the CD2 election.
“I do want to take this opportunity however to thank you and express my heartfelt appreciation to the voters of Washoe County for their support over the last 8 election cycles. I am personally very proud of the fact that I have never lost in any county, including Washoe.
“While I completely respect the fact that you and the 90-ish people who were at your meeting Monday night can do whatever you see fit in terms of judging my opinions as a Republican voter in CD2, I do want you to know that I find solace in the fact that there are over 100,000 registered Republican voters in Washoe County, and I’m comfortable with my record of service to them all.
“I am curious as to who the author of your resolution is, as I am amused by the writing style. It reads like a David Flippo campaign deflection piece on what I believe are the real issues of the campaign.
“I was delighted to see your references to principles, philosophy, and platform and cannot wait to read your follow-on resolutions regarding candidates who repeatedly fail to file personal financial disclosures — candidates who exaggerate and purposefully spread false information regarding military service — and candidates who apparently are opposed to any transparency regarding personal background.
“Please let me know if and when you do any of these resolutions and I will send someone over to pick up a copy while they are still hot off the press. By the way, if you decide to adopt any other resolutions regarding the Bill of Rights including freedom of speech, I’d like to see that too.
“I wish you and the Central Committee all the best in your endeavors and am proud to have represented and supported you all these years in the United States House of Representatives.
“Have a great day, Mr. Chairman.”
October 28
Northern Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei has ruffled feathers with local Republican leaders after saying he was not going to vote for David Flippo to be his replacement.
The Washoe County Republican Party is cutting ties, and we reached out to the Nevada Republican Party to ask if it was going to follow suit, but have not heard back.
The Washoe GOP chairman feels betrayed by Amodei’s recent actions.
"At some point in time you have to look yourself in the mirror,” Amodei said in a recent CNN interview. “I ain't looking in that mirror having voted for the republican this time.”
Amodei has made it no secret that he is not a fan of Flippo.
"Mark Amodei on a CNN broadcast publicly announced that he voted for an opposition party," said Bruce Parks, Washoe GOP chairman.
We learned last week from Amodei’s office that he did vote for the Independent American Party candidate, Lynn Chapman.
The congressman announced his retirement earlier this year.
During the primary election, Amodei endorsed longtime state legislator James Settelmeyer to take his place.
Since Flippo is the sole Republican on the ballot, Amodei has gone on several news outlets to share his thoughts.
The Washoe GOP now wants to distance itself from Amodei.
“It was vigorously debated,” Parks said. “And then a vote was taken and the vote was unanimous that, we no longer recognize congressman Amodei as a Republican."
The Washoe Republican Central Committee made this decision Monday night.
Parks says it was more about Amodei’s method than the action itself.
"If you can't support the candidate, okay, that's your decision, but you don't have to go public about it,” Parks said. “Keep it to yourself."
Parks says they did email Amodei’s team before the decision went public, but only heard that Amodei had received it.
David Flippo has since responded.
“The Washoe County Republican Party knows it’s crucial that we defeat Teresa Benitez-Thompson, one of the most far-left wing candidates running anywhere in America,” he said in a statement.
Last year, the Washoe GOP also ousted Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson for supporting a land bill by Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen.
We tried to get a comment from Amodei, but his office said he was busy in Elko and Ely for the next couple of days.
We also reached out to Benitez-Thompson’s campaign and did not hear back.
