After much speculation, and holding to his promise to decide by end of October, Rep. Mark Amodei announced this morning that he will not run for Governor and run for re-election to his House seat.  Amodei released a one-sentence press release this morning and has stated it is important to be the sole Republican in the state’s delegation in Congress.  He has also said that the Governor’s race would turn into a “soundbyte fest” and expressed concerns that a fringe candidate may win the primary but will not be able to unseat Governor Sisolak.

This move is a safer bet for Amodei as he avoids a crowded field for Nevada Governor. The leading candidates in the governor’s race include: Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo, US Senator Dean Heller, Las Vegas Councilwoman Michelle Fiore, North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee, Venture Capitalist Guy Nohra, and Reno Attorney Joey Gilbert.

Amodei has held the 2nd Congressional district (CD2) since 2011.  The district encompasses Washoe County, Carson city and rural Republican strongholds in Northern Nevada. CD2 is the only congressional district of Nevada’s four not currently held by a Democrat and Democrats have  never held the seat that encompasses the entire northern half of Nevada. There are 6 challengers who have filed their candidacy to run against Amodei: Bernie Sanders delegate and progressive Rick Shepherd, “Common Sense” Democrat Steve Schiffman, Ian Luetkehans, Klint Koble, Independent Ed Cohen, and Democrat Patricia Ackerman.