Mark Amodei Bio
Mark Eugene Amodei (born June 12, 1958) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Nevada’s 2nd congressional district since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the Nevada Assembly from 1997 to 1999 and in the Nevada Senate from 1999 to 2011. Amodei chaired the Nevada Republican Party from 2010 until 2011 before winning a special election to the U.S. House of Representatives. On February 6, 2026, Amodei announced that he would not seek reelection in 2026.
Since 2019, Amodei has been the dean of Nevada’s congressional delegation and is its only Republican. He built his career on public service, beginning as a JAG officer in the U.S. Army before moving into private law practice and eventually state and federal politics.
Early Life and Background
Mark Eugene Amodei was born in Carson City, Nevada, on June 12, 1958, the son of Joy LaRhe (née Longero) and Donald Mark Amodei. His father was of half Italian and half Irish descent, and one of his maternal great-grandfathers was Italian. Amodei grew up in the state capital, an environment that later shaped his interest in state government and law.
He graduated from Carson High School in 1976, where he served as student class president. Amodei went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1980. He then received his Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1983, preparing him for a career in military and civilian law.
Path to US Politics
Amodei entered the U.S. Army before he had passed the bar exam, so he was initially assigned to an artillery unit. He later attended The JAG School at the University of Virginia and joined the U.S. Army JAG Corps after passing the bar. From 1983 to 1987, he served as an Army JAG Corps officer prosecuting criminal matters, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and an Assistant Post Judge Advocate. During this service, he earned the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
After leaving active duty, Amodei returned to Nevada and built a legal career with firms including Allison MacKenzie in Carson City and Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw and Ferrario in Reno. He served as president of the Nevada Mining Association from 2007 to 2008. These experiences in law, public advocacy, and industry leadership led him to seek elected office in 1996.
Mark Amodei Career
Early Career (1996–2010)
In 1996, Amodei was elected to the Nevada Assembly, representing Carson City. He was named the Outstanding Freshman Legislator in 1997. In 1998, he ran for the Nevada Senate in the Capital District and defeated incumbent Democratic State Senator Ernie Adler, 52 percent to 48 percent.
Amodei won reelection to the Nevada Senate in 2002 with 84 percent of the vote and again in 2006 with 78 percent. He served as president pro tempore of the Nevada Senate from 2003 to 2008. During his tenure, he co-authored a 2003 tax plan with Terry Care and later sponsored legislation on gas taxes and collective bargaining. In 2010, he was elected chair of the Nevada Republican Party, a position he held until 2011.
Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District Breakthrough (2011–2012)
Amodei announced his bid for Congress in May 2011 after U.S. Representative Dean Heller was appointed to the U.S. Senate. He won the Republican nomination with 221 of 323 ballots, defeating State Senator Greg Brower and U.S. Navy veteran Kirk Lippold. Amodei was sworn in on September 15, 2011.
In the special general election, Amodei defeated Democratic nominee Kate Marshall 58 percent to 36 percent, winning every county in the district. He ran for a full term in 2012 and defeated Democrat Samuel Koepnick 58 percent to 36 percent in a redrawn district that remained the eighth-largest U.S. House district that did not cover an entire state.
U.S. House of Representatives Era (2013–Present)
Amodei has won reelection repeatedly, building one of the most consistent winning streaks in Nevada politics. He defeated Democrat Kristen Spees 65.8 percent to 27.9 percent in 2014, Democrat Chip Evans 58.3 percent to 36.9 percent in 2016, Democrat Clint Koble 58.2 percent to 41.8 percent in 2018, and Democrat Patricia Ackerman 56.5 percent to 40.7 percent in 2020. In 2022, he survived a crowded Republican primary with 54.9 percent of the vote before defeating Democrat Elizabeth Krause 59.7 percent to 37.8 percent. In 2024, he won the Republican primary with 64 percent and the general election with 55 percent against Independent candidate Greg Kidd.
During his House tenure, Amodei has been described as a moderate Republican and a member of the centrist Republican Governance Group. On September 27, 2019, he became the first House Republican to support a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump during his first impeachment. He has also backed measures such as DACA, signed a discharge petition to force a DACA vote, and supported the Fairness for All Act in 2021. In June 2025, he was one of four House Republicans to vote against a $9.4 billion rescissions package backed by the Trump administration.
Notable Events and Milestones
Amodei’s tenure has included several signature moments, from his 2011 special election victory to his 2019 impeachment inquiry stance and his introduction of the Northern Nevada Land Conservation and Economic Development Act in 2014. He has chaired the Homeland Security subcommittee in the Appropriations Committee, casting doubt on mass deportation logistics in 2024 and supporting financial assistance for Israel following the October 7 attacks.
Mark Amodei Career Wins
Mark Amodei has built a long record of electoral victories across state and federal offices. He has won every race for the U.S. House since 2011, including one special election and seven full-term contests. He also held his Nevada Assembly seat and three Nevada Senate terms, reflecting durable support across Nevada’s Capital District and the 2nd congressional district.
Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District Highlights
Amodei’s first congressional victory came in the 2011 special election, when he won 58 percent of the vote against Kate Marshall and carried every county in the district. His most recent victory came in 2024, when he defeated Independent candidate Greg Kidd with 55 percent of the vote. He has consistently won both Republican primaries and general elections, even when challenged by multiple primary opponents in 2022.
Other Wins and Achievements
Before his federal career, Amodei won election to the Nevada Assembly in 1996, followed by three Nevada Senate terms in 1998, 2002, and 2006. He was selected as president pro tempore of the Nevada Senate from 2003 to 2008 and was elected chair of the Nevada Republican Party in 2010.
Mark Amodei Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mark Eugene Amodei was raised in Carson City, Nevada, by his mother, Joy LaRhe (née Longero), and his father, Donald Mark Amodei, who was of half Italian and half Irish descent. One of his maternal great-grandfathers was Italian. His family roots in Nevada helped shape his long career representing the state’s capital region in both Carson City and Washington, D.C.
Personal Life
Amodei has two adult daughters. He was previously married to Sondra Amodei (née Staub) and later to Michelle Amodei; both marriages ended in divorce. Public information about his personal life remains limited, and Amodei has focused much of his public profile on his work in law, military service, and elected office.