U.S. House, Nevada 2nd Congressional District · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District?
Teresa Benitez-Thompson has the strongest record in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. Teresa Benitez-Thompson scores 70 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of David Flippo at 53, as of October 6, 2026. Teresa Benitez-Thompson's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. David Flippo's highest marks are communication. Lynn Chapman (0 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
Strongest record
Teresa Benitez-Thompson
On the ballot as Teresa F. Benitez-Thompson
70 / 100
Public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 85
- Performance
- 75
Independent American Party
Lynn Chapman
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
Republican
David Flippo
53 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 55
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson
- On the record2026-10
Accepted the League of Women Voters of Northern Nevada's Oct. 7, 2026, candidate forum, which David Flippo declined.
Source: Carson Now, Oct. 5, 2026
- Credit2026-09
Drew cross-party support in 2026, including former Republican Assemblyman James Oscarson and a fundraiser hosted by a bipartisan group that included Gov. Sandoval's former chief of staff.
- Credit2011 to 2022
Rated Meets expectations on the Center for Effective Lawmaking's State Legislative Effectiveness Score in all six Assembly terms, with six of her bills enacted in 2021 to 2022.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file
Lynn Chapman
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
David Flippo
- Mark against2023 to 2026-02
His campaigns said in videos, mailers, social media and fundraising that he earned the Bronze Star 'with valor'; he received the Bronze Star without the valor device, and he apologized, calling it a copywriting mistake.
- On the record2026-10
Declined the League of Women Voters of Northern Nevada's Oct. 7, 2026, candidate forum.
Source: Carson Now, Oct. 5, 2026
- On the record2024 to 2026
Ran for a Southern Nevada congressional seat before switching to the 2nd District in 2026; a primary opponent's supporter said at an April 2026 forum that he had lived in Las Vegas for years.
Sources: Ballotpedia, David Flippo, Reno Gazette Journal, April 3, 2026
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. Campaign reports on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC, ethics or court finding against her found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, Nevada Commission on Ethics, Opinions page (updated Aug. 27, 2026)
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. His campaigns described his Bronze Star as awarded 'with valor' from 2023 to early 2026, which he did not receive; he called it a copywriting mistake and apologized (see Record). Under E15 one false claim does not lower Integrity. FEC reports on file.
Sources: KOLO, Sept. 24, 2026, Military.com, Sept. 25, 2026, FEC candidate page
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. No public record found.
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. Listed for a League of Women Voters of Northern Nevada forum on Oct. 7, 2026, which her opponent declined; reports attending 41 community events since the primary.
Sources: Carson Now, Oct. 5, 2026, The Nevada Independent, Sept. 12, 2026
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. Took part in an April 2026 Reno Republican forum and answered the Nevada Independent's issue questions by email; declined the League of Women Voters of Northern Nevada forum on Oct. 7, 2026.
Sources: Carson Now, Oct. 5, 2026, The Nevada Independent, Sept. 1, 2026, Reno Gazette Journal, April 3, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. Assembly member 2010 to 2022 and majority leader, then chief of staff to the attorney general, with no censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. Air Force service from 1985 to 2009 and a business career with no censure, reprimand or formal conduct finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, David Flippo
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. Sworn Assembly member for 12 years with no misuse-of-office finding and no action to reject certified results.
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. Served in the U.S. Air Force from 1985 to 2009; no misuse-of-office finding and no recorded action to reject certified results.
Source: Ballotpedia, David Flippo
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. Six Assembly terms for Washoe County's District 27, 2010 to 2022, including service as majority leader; most recently chief of staff to Attorney General Aaron Ford; licensed social worker.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Teresa Benitez-Thompson, The Nevada Independent, Sept. 12, 2026
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. Retired Air Force lieutenant colonel with 24 years of service and a career as a business owner and financial adviser; has not held public office.
Sources: Ballotpedia, David Flippo, The Nevada Independent, Sept. 1, 2026, Reno Gazette Journal, April 3, 2026
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. Former Assembly majority leader (E5); completed the Nevada Independent's issue form and campaigns on local issues such as data centers, public land and water.
Sources: The Nevada Independent, Sept. 12, 2026, The Nevada Independent, Sept. 1, 2026
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. Publishes positions in general terms through Ballotpedia's survey and the Nevada Independent's questionnaire.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. Three channels documented: the Nevada Independent's issue form, a scheduled League of Women Voters forum and dozens of community events. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: The Nevada Independent, Sept. 1, 2026, Carson Now, Oct. 5, 2026, Ballotpedia, Teresa Benitez-Thompson
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. Three channels documented: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey (2025), the Nevada Independent's questionnaire and a primary candidate forum.
Sources: Ballotpedia, David Flippo, The Nevada Independent, Sept. 1, 2026, Reno Gazette Journal, April 3, 2026
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. Has lived in Northern Nevada for four decades. FEC by-state totals show about 87 percent of itemized contributions from Nevada ($137,119 of $156,719).
Sources: The Nevada Independent, Sept. 12, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. Moved to Reno from the Las Vegas area to run in the 2nd District after first running in the 4th; a district resident since. FEC by-state totals show about 42 percent of itemized contributions from Nevada ($211,568 of $504,015).
Sources: The Nevada Independent, Sept. 12, 2026, Nevada Current, as published by Yahoo News, Sept. 30, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state, Reno Gazette Journal, April 3, 2026
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. Served as chief of staff of the Nevada Attorney General's Office and led the Assembly majority caucus. FEC reports on file; no administrative fine found.
Sources: The Nevada Independent, Sept. 12, 2026, FEC candidate page
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. Business owner; campaign reports on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, with no administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. State Legislative Effectiveness Score Meets expectations in all six scored Assembly terms, 2011 to 2022; in 2021 to 2022, six bills she sponsored became law and she ranked 7th in the Assembly.
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. No public record found.
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. No public record found.
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. Has cross-party backing: former Republican Assemblyman James Oscarson and a bipartisan host committee including Gov. Sandoval's former chief of staff; a registered Republican lobbyist called her as bipartisan as you could get.
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson. No public record found.
Lynn Chapman. No public record found.
David Flippo. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District?
Teresa Benitez-Thompson has the strongest record in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. Teresa Benitez-Thompson scores 70 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of David Flippo at 53, as of October 6, 2026. Teresa Benitez-Thompson's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. David Flippo's highest marks are communication. Lynn Chapman (0 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District in 2026?
Teresa Benitez-Thompson (Democratic), Lynn Chapman (Independent American Party), David Flippo (Republican). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Teresa Benitez-Thompson a good candidate for Congress?
Teresa Benitez-Thompson scores 70 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 85 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Lynn Chapman a good candidate for Congress?
Lynn Chapman has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is David Flippo a good candidate for Congress?
David Flippo scores 53 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 55 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Nevada race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Nevada 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.