Mark Amodei, R-Nev., announced Friday he will retire from Congress at the end of his term, saying after 15 years of service, “it is the right time for Nevada and myself to pass the torch.”
Amodei said he will complete his current term, which runs through January 2027, and framed the decision as a personal milestone rather than a political one.
“Serving the people of Nevada has been the honor of my lifetime,” Amodei said in a statement released via X. “Nobody is prouder of our Nevada Congressional District than me. Thank you for the honor.”
Amodei said he entered Congress “to solve problems” and to ensure that “our State and Nation have strong voice in the federal policy and oversight processes,” adding, “I look forward to finishing my term.”
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The veteran lawmaker represents Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, which covers the northern half of the state and includes Reno, the district’s largest city. The seat leans Republican and, prior to Friday’s announcement, was rated Solid Republican by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
Nevada’s other three congressional districts are held by Democrats and are considered more competitive.
Amodei has consistently won re-election by wide margins. He defeated his Democrat challenger by 19 points in 2024 and won the 2022 midterm election by 22 points. President Donald Trump carried the district by 14 points in 2024.
On Capitol Hill, Amodei chairs the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, a role that places him at the center of funding decisions for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). His retirement announcement comes as DHS faces another looming funding deadline, with current funding set to expire in just over a week.
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Amodei is the latest House Republican to announce plans to leave Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
In his statement, Amodei did not reference the political landscape or the upcoming election cycle, instead emphasizing gratitude and continuity through the remainder of his term.
“Every achievement worth doing began with listening to Nevadans and fighting for our values,” he said. “After 15 years of service, I believe it is the right time for Nevada and myself to pass the torch.”
Amodei was first elected to Congress in 2011 and has served continuously since, building a reputation as a reliable conservative vote in the lower House.
His announcement sets the stage for an open-seat contest in Nevada’s 2nd District in the upcoming midterm elections.
“Republicans are confident this deep-red seat will remain Republican, just as it always has been,” NRCC Spokesman Christian Martinez told Fox News Digital. “Nevadans value common sense, accountability, and strong conservative leadership and that’s exactly what Republicans will continue to deliver.”
Fox News’ Chad Pergram contributed to this reporting.
