For Immediate Release
Reno, Nevada – (Wednesday, July 15) Today, the Elect Teresa campaign released its fundraising numbers for the second quarter, and commented on an independent poll released Monday showing Benitez-Thompson leading Las Vegas resident David Flippo in the race for Northern Nevada’s Congressional District (NV-02). National News Outlet Daily Kos covered the poll, noting it as a sign that outgoing Congressman Mark Amodei was right when he said that Teresa Benitez-Thompson could beat David Flippo. The Daily Kos piece comment that, “She has the kind of moderate chops that could help her win a heavily Republican seat like this.” The campaign reported raising just over $150,000, the vast majority of which came after her decisive primary win.
“This poll lines up with what I am seeing and hearing on the ground,” Teresa said. “Voters want someone who they know will fight for Northern Nevada issues and our families’ well-being. David Flippo has shown time and again that he doesn’t know the challenges people face in Northern Nevada. From focusing exclusively on Las Vegas water issues, to saying that Trump’s budget bill, which led to significant healthcare cost increases for Nevadans, ‘really helped’ us.
“I was unaware of this poll until seeing it posted online, and I realize it is not a perfect poll.” Teresa continued, “But, as described in news covering this poll, this race truly is a bellwether for change nationwide to move away from MAGA’s DC policies back to local needs.”
Teresa went on to discuss her fundraising numbers, saying, “I am so proud of the grassroots support I have received, and the major endorsements and support of groups like the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ BOLD PAC. My opponent is supported by the DC MAGA movement, who do not want accountability in Washington. Money isn’t everything and I am well on my way to having sufficient resources to compete on the airwaves, while Las Vegan David Flippo will never have the community connection to compete with me on the ground.”
Note: Flippo discussing his Southern Nevada priorities for water issues begins at the 20:10 mark in the linked audio, which is from his recent appearance with Wes Duncan at Denny’s. Full audio recording of the event provided for context, transparency, and verification purposes.
Background
Teresa Benitez-Thompson is a longtime Reno resident. She and her husband are raising their four children in Northern Nevada and are proud to call Reno their home. Teresa is a licensed social worker, and former state assemblywoman who worked across the aisle to create change for Northern Nevada. Of the primary bills she sponsored, 87% earned bipartisan support.
Teresa earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada and her masters degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Teresa funded her education by waitressing and winning scholarships from the Nevada Women’s Fund and the Miss Nevada Scholarship Program. Notably, Teresa was named Third Runner-Up at the 2003 Miss America Pageant.
Professionally, her career started with finding adoptive families for children with special needs. Then Teresa moved to the medical field supporting terminally-ill patients, working across five Northern Nevada counties. She ran for the Nevada State Assembly in 2010 and spent 12 years there, rising to serve multiple terms as Majority Leader — the first woman from Northern Nevada to hold that role. After being termed out, she served as Chief of Staff in the Nevada Office of the Attorney General. Now she is running for Congress because Northern Nevada needs someone who will fight for our region to be an affordable, thriving place to call home.
###
