Description
Where in the world is David Flippo?
Our reporter, Noah Lanard, headed to northern Nevada to try something that should be easy for anyone covering a congressional race: finding the candidate.
It did not go well.
After months reporting on Flippo’s finances, his military record, and how his time as a financial advisor ended, Noah spent weeks waiting for the GOP House nominee to schedule a public event he could attend; he sent email after email trying to get in contact. He left voicemails. No reply, so he went to the only places Flippo’s campaign has actually told the public to look. But everywhere we turned, no Flippo.
Meanwhile, his Democratic opponent, Teresa Benitez-Thompson, showed up to face voters at three events in just 24 hours.
Beyond the financial and military valor controversies, Flippo has been accused of being a carpetbagger. He rented a home in Nevada's second congressional district and filed to run after losing a race in the Vegas area.
We asked Benitez-Thompson if she thinks Flippo will stick around post-election. She told us: "I don't think he's going to be here longer than a Halloween Spirit store is."
Reporting by Noah Lanard
Video by Sam Van Pykeren