Trump Endorses Nevada and Idaho Lieutenant Governors for Re-Election in Coordinated Truth Social Announcements

President Donald Trump issued back-to-back endorsements on Monday for the lieutenant governors of two neighboring Western states — Nevada’s Stavros Anthony and Idaho’s Scott Bedke — posting his support on Truth Social as both prepare for upcoming re-election campaigns. The coordinated endorsements signal Trump’s continued effort to shape Republican politics at every level of government, including down-ballot races that often receive less national attention.

The endorsement of Stavros Anthony carries particular strategic significance given Nevada’s status as one of the most competitive swing states in the country. Anthony, who was born on the Greek island of Cyprus and immigrated to the United States, built his political career in Clark County — home to Las Vegas and roughly 73 percent of the state’s population. He served on the Las Vegas City Council representing Ward 4 before winning the lieutenant governor’s race in 2022 on a ticket alongside Governor Joe Lombardo. Nevada’s lieutenant governor serves independently of the governor, meaning the two offices can be held by different parties, though both are currently Republican. Anthony’s role includes presiding over the Nevada State Senate and serving on several state boards, including the State Board of Transportation and the Commission on Tourism. In a state where Trump won the presidential vote in 2024, consolidating Republican strength in statewide offices remains a priority for the party heading into the 2026 midterm cycle.

Scott Bedke’s endorsement, while perhaps less electorally dramatic given Idaho’s deep-red political composition, nonetheless speaks to the importance of loyalty and alignment within the Republican Party’s internal hierarchy. Bedke served as Speaker of the Idaho House from 2012 to 2022, making him one of the longest-serving speakers in state history, before successfully running for lieutenant governor. His 2022 primary race was notable for its intensity — he defeated far-right challenger Priscilla Giddings, who had been censured by the Idaho House for her role in publicizing the identity of a legislative intern who had accused a state representative of rape. Bedke’s victory in that primary was seen as a triumph for the establishment wing of Idaho’s Republican Party, making Trump’s current endorsement a noteworthy bridge between the party’s establishment and populist factions. Idaho’s lieutenant governor holds the power to act as governor when the governor is out of state, a role that gained national attention when former Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin attempted to issue executive orders banning mask mandates while then-Governor Brad Little was traveling.

The timing of these endorsements — arriving well ahead of the 2026 primary season — suggests a deliberate effort to clear potential primary challengers and consolidate party unity in both states. For Anthony, the early endorsement could serve as a shield against any Republican rivals in a state where intra-party competition can be fierce, particularly in Clark County where moderate and conservative factions of the GOP regularly clash. For Bedke, Trump’s backing could help neutralize potential challenges from the party’s right flank, which has been active and organized in Idaho politics. Both men now carry the most coveted endorsement in Republican primary politics, which historically discourages well-funded challengers from entering the race. Political observers will be watching whether these endorsements are part of a broader wave of early 2026 down-ballot endorsements from the White House, potentially signaling an effort to build a unified Republican governing apparatus across state capitals in the American West.