President Donald Trump has triaged Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District—stripping Republican candidate Marty O’Donnell of $1 million in ad reservations in his bid to unseat Democratic Rep. Susie Lee.
The Safety and Affordability PAC, which is funded by Trump’s MAGA Inc., poured $3 million in airwave ads to back O’Donnell last month. The district is seen as Nevada’s most competitive congressional seat—Trump narrowly won in 2024.
The Cook Political Report shifted the seat, which encompasses Summerlin and Enterprise, from “lean Democrat” to “likely Democrat” on Oct. 9—and as of Oct. 13, O’Donnell was cut off from the $1 million.
It comes as Politico reported MAGA Inc. is “cutting off spending to a group of less attainable House races, piling in money to shore up others.”
Despite the funding pull, O’Donnell rallied for the president on Oct. 14 in Bullhead City, Arizona—despite O’Donnell being on Nevada’s ballot, not Arizona’s.
“My name is Marty O’Donnell, I’m going to retire Susie Lee as soon as possible,” O’Donell told the audience. “Starting this Saturday, early voting in Nevada [begins]. Please get out there and vote, we need it.”
Pivot in competitive races
Trump is still anticipated to visit Northern Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, which has become the focal point of this year’s election season, despite the district never electing a Democrat. Rep. Mark Amodei is preparing to leave his seat, and Democrats are vying to flip the conservative district blue.
Republican nominee David Flippo, a retired Air Force Lt. Col., has been embroiled in back-to-back controversies. Amodei has not endorsed Flippo.
Flippo has received criticism for falsely claiming he earned a Bronze Star with valor, when it was only a Bronze Star. The Bronze Star with valor is awarded for heroism under enemy fire. A lone Bronze Star, however, is awarded for meritorious service or achievement in a combat zone without exposure to combat risks.
Flippo blamed the false claim on his campaign staff—and his grandchildren.
It then came out that Flippo was fired in 2008 as a squadron commander.
His Democratic opponent, Teresa Benitez-Thompson, has been gaining momentum in the deep red Nevada district as controversies continue to sour Flippo’s campaign.
Early voting begins Oct. 17 and ends Oct. 30.
