Former NV Sheriff Jesse Watts Running For Congress

March 5, 2026

By Andrew Smit

Retired Eureka County Sheriff Jesse Watts made clear this week that his campaign for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District will move forward regardless of whether President Donald Trump weighs in on the race.

In a written interview with 360 News Las Vegas, Watts addressed the possibility of Trump endorsing another Republican, including potential rival Sam Brown, and stated plainly that his candidacy is grounded in what he describes as local representation rather than national political dynamics.

“While I respect President Trump and appreciate his impact on many important national issues, this race ultimately belongs to the voters of Nevada’s Second District,” Watts said. “My commitment is to the people of NV-02. I entered this race because I believe our district needs strong, independent representation, and that mission does not change based on endorsements.”

Watts, who served more than two decades in law enforcement and as Sheriff of Eureka County, is positioning himself as a rural Nevada executive with hands on leadership experience. His message centers on water rights, federal land management, energy production, mining, and what he characterizes as excessive federal regulation impacting rural communities.

He stops short of directly criticizing incumbent Congressman Mark Amodei, but signals a sharper posture toward Washington.

“Congressman Amodei has served Nevada for many years, and I respect anyone who steps forward for public service,” Watts said. “That said, I believe this district is ready for a more assertive and hands on advocate who will more aggressively challenge federal overreach.”

Watts also left open the question of joining the House Freedom Caucus if elected. He said he would evaluate caucus membership based on effectiveness rather than internal party labels, adding that limited government and fiscal responsibility remain guiding principles.

The campaign’s early emphasis is on land and water issues, border security, domestic energy production, and inflation. Watts repeatedly returned to the theme of executive leadership, contrasting local crisis management with what he describes as rhetoric driven politics in Washington.

“I am not running on rhetoric,” he said. “I am running on a record.”

With Trump’s endorsement historically influential in Nevada Republican primaries, Watts’ decision to publicly commit to staying in the race regardless signals a willingness to test whether district level loyalty outweighs national alignment.

The NV-02 Republican primary is expected to attract significant attention as the field continues to develop.