Nevada Rep. Mark Amodei Announces Retirement After 15 Years

The 67-year-old Republican congressman has served eight terms in the House.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) announced on Friday that he is retiring from the House of Representatives at the end of his current term in 2027. Amodei has served eight terms in Congress since first being elected in a 2011 special election. He cited the desire to "pass the torch" to a new leader for Nevada as the reason for his retirement.

Why it matters

Amodei's retirement will open up a competitive race for Nevada's 2nd Congressional District, which covers the northern part of the state including Reno and Carson City. The district leans Republican, but the open seat could attract interest from both parties.

The details

Amodei, 67, has served in the House since 2011 and is the chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee. He recently made headlines for comments about law enforcement in Minnesota following high-profile killings. Amodei won his last election in 2024 with 55% of the vote.

  • Amodei announced his retirement on February 6, 2026.
  • Amodei's current term in the House will end in January 2027.

The players

Mark Amodei

A Republican congressman who has represented Nevada's 2nd Congressional District since 2011.

Rick Shepherd

A Republican who has filed paperwork to run for Amodei's seat.

Heath Fulkerson

A Republican who has filed paperwork to run for Amodei's seat.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Mark Amodei, Retiring Congressman (washingtonexaminer.com)

“I came to Congress to solve problems and to make sure our State and Nation have strong voice in the federal policy and oversight processes. 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.”

— Mark Amodei, Retiring Congressman (washingtonexaminer.com)

What’s next

The race to replace Amodei in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District will be a key battleground in the 2026 midterm elections. Both Republicans and Democrats are expected to field competitive candidates for the open seat.

The takeaway

Amodei's retirement after 15 years in Congress marks the latest in a wave of House members not seeking reelection in 2027. His decision to step down will create an opportunity for new leadership in Nevada's 2nd District, which has trended Republican in recent elections.