LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Longtime Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei has announced his retirement.
"Serving the people of Nevada has been the honor of my lifetime. Nobody is prouder of our Nevada Congressional District than me. Thank you for the honor. Every achievement worth doing began with listening to Nevadans and fighting for our values," read the statement he posted on X.
"I came to Congress to solve problems and to make sure our State and Nation have strong voice in the federal policy and oversight process. I look forward to finishing my term. After 15 years of service, I believe it is the right time for Nevada and myself to pass the torch."
In an interview with Channel 13 Friday, Amodei said he was satisfied after nearly 30 years serving in elected office.
"It's not if you leave in this business, it's when you leave it, and whether it's by your own pick or by somebody else's pick," Amodei said. "So it's not like I can stay forever."
To the contrary, Amodei has survived both primary and general election challenges for seven consecutive cycles since winning a special election in 2011, and never lost a single county in his district. He says the key to his success is deep roots in the district, and taking local concerns to heart.
"When somebody shows up that has the ability to basically walk through a room in Reno the same way they do in Winnemucca, then guess what, that's who's going to get my attention as a voter."
Amodei says he's proud of public lands legislation, as well as helping the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force expand and secure their ranges. (The country's top fighter weapons schools — Top Gun in Fallon and Nellis Air Force Base in North Las Vegas — are both situated in Nevada.)
Although Amodei admits the political culture has changed significantly since he was first elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1997. But he says — unreported by national media — good things are still happening behind the scenes.
"The good news is there's still some stuff going on, that;s pretty good," he said, citing bills he's worked on with Democrats such as Steney Hoyer of Maryland and the late Bill Pascrell of New Jersey. And, of course, there's intrastate cooperation with Nevada's other members, who have all been Democrats since 2016.
"I've got some very good friends who we agree on stuff and this and that, but it's never going to get reported," he said.
But the political dysfunction also provides opportunity, he said. "Maybe in the middle of all this strife, there's a vacuum here or there where you can move into that and get something done while everybody's screaming and yelling and fighting out in the street," he said. "And so we've used that a lot for the Nevada agenda, if you will."
Amodei's announcement was met with good wishes from other members of the Nevada delegation.
"Mark, thank you for your years of service on behalf of Nevadans. Paul and I are wishing you and your family all the best in this next chapter of your life," wrote U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto on X.
"From the U.S. Army to the Nevada State Legislature to U.S. Congress, Rep. Amodei has dedicated his life to serving Nevada and our nation," wrote U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen. "While we come from different parties and different backgrounds, I've always been grateful to have been able to work across the aisle with him to put Nevada families first. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter."
Wrote Rep. Dina Titus, the dean of Nevada's delegation: "I’ve known @MarkAmodeiNV2 since we served together in the Nevada State Legislature. While we may have our policy differences, his commitment to northern Nevada has been undeniable. Wishing him godspeed."
"Thank you, Congressman Mark Amodei, for your dedication to serving the people of northern Nevada. It has been an honor serving alongside you. Wishing you all the best in your well-earned retirement!" fellow Rep. Susie Lee wrote.
And Rep. Steven Horsford, another veteran of Carson City, added: "I’ve had the honor of serving with Rep Amodei in the NV State Senate and the US Congress. Mark’s commitment to our state has always been obvious. I look forward to serving the remainder of this Congress with him."
Amodei began his political career in 1996 when he was elected to the Nevada Assembly, representing Carson City. He ran for Nevada Senate in 1998, defeating the incumbent by a narrow 52%-48% margin.
Amodei has represented Nevada's 2nd congressional district since 2011, and has served as the sole Republican in Nevada's U.S. House delegation since 2014.
Gov. Joe Lombardo praised Amodei's service in a statement released Friday.
“Congressman Mark Amodei has been an unwavering advocate for northern Nevada and a dedicated public servant," Lombardo said in the statement. "Throughout his tenure in the Nevada State Legislature and Washington, he worked tirelessly to represent Nevadans’ interests and advocate for our state. I want to thank Congressman Amodei for his years of service to Nevada and for his faithful partnership with my office. On behalf of all Nevadans, I wish him and his family the very best in his well-earned retirement.”
Potential replacements were already being discussed on Friday.
Former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018 and U.S. Senate in 2022, declared on X that he would not be a candidate.
First and foremost, I thank Mark Amodei for so many tremendous years of service for Nevada and wish him all the best in his next chapter in life. While I appreciate the encouragement I have received to run for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, I remain focused on raising my…
— Adam Paul Laxalt (@AdamLaxalt) February 6, 2026
Other potential candidates include Douglas County Commission Danny Tarkanian, who ran unsuccessfully for the seat against Amodei in 2022. Tarkanian announced last year that he was running for attorney general, but filing for all seats doesn't open until March 2.
In addition, former Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, who narrowly lost a bid for the seat against then-Secretary of State Dean Heller in 2006 and ran against then-U.S. Sen. Harry Reid in 2010, may also be a candidate.
Republicans including John Ellison, Ira Hansen, Dr. Robin Titus, Lisa Krasner, Alexis Hansen and Greg Koenig all represent portions of the 2nd Congressional District, which includes the top half of the state.
