Teresa Benitez-Thompson

Teresa Benitez-Thompson
Majority Leader of the Nevada Assembly
In office
November 9, 2016 – November 9, 2022
Preceded byPaul Anderson
Succeeded bySandra Jauregui
Member of the Nevada Assembly
from the 27th district
In office
November 3, 2010 – November 9, 2022
Preceded bySheila Leslie
Succeeded byAngie Taylor
Personal details
BornTeresa Francisca Benitez
(1978-07-25) July 25, 1978
Ventura, California, U.S.
PartyDemocratic (1998–present)
SpouseJeff Thompson
Children4
EducationUniversity of Nevada, Reno (BA)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (MSW)
WebsiteCampaign website

Teresa Francisca Benitez-Thompson[1] (born July 25, 1978)[2] is an American politician, social worker, and former Democratic member of the Nevada Assembly. First elected February 7, 2011 to represent District 27 in Washoe County, Benitez-Thompson served as Majority Leader of the Nevada Assembly during her tenure.[3] She was crowned Miss Nevada 2002 and placed third runner-up at the Miss America 2003 pageant.[4]

In February 2026, she announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District (NV-2)[5]

Background

Benitez-Thompson earned her B.A. from the University of Nevada, Reno and her master's degree in social work from the University of Michigan.[1] She previously worked as a licensed social worker at a hospice company[6] and recently served as Chief of Staff to Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford.[7]

Benitez-Thompson is married to KOLO-TV chief meteorologist, former KRNV-DT chief meteorologist and former KTVN meteorologist Jeff Thompson and has 4 children. Her father is of Mexican descent.[6]

Elections

  • 2020 Benitez-Thompson was unopposed in the 2020 Democratic primary[8] and won the general election with 18,559 votes (58.47%) against Republican candidate Barb Hawn.[9]
  • 2018 Benitez-Thompson was unopposed in both the primary and general elections.[10][11]
  • 2016 Benitez-Thompson was unopposed in the primary.[12] She won the general election with 15,080 votes (56.56%) against Republican candidate Bonnie Weber, who later became a member of the Reno City Council.[13][14]
  • 2014 Benitez-Thompson was unopposed in the primary[15] and won the general election with 7,793 votes (53.53%) against Republican nominee Rex Crouch.[16]
  • 2012 Benitez-Thompson was unopposed in the primary and won the general election with 14,160 votes (57.76%) against Republican nominee Tom Taber,[17] who had previously run for the Assembly in 1990.[18]
  • 2010 When Democratic Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie ran for Nevada Senate and left the Assembly seat open, Benitez-Thompson won the primary with 1,451 votes (55.92%) against Byllie Andrews.[19] She won the general election with 6,951 votes (63.57%) against Republican nominee Gabe Jurado.[20]

References

  1. 1 2 "Candidate Profile: Teresa Benitez-Thompson". Carson City, Nevada: Nevada Secretary of State. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Teresa Benitez-Thompson's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Nevada Legislature – Assembly Leadership, 2017 Session". Nevada Legislature. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  4. ↑ Goldberg, Delen (January 12, 2012). "10 past Nevada pageant winners who have gained notoriety". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Former Dem Assembly leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson to run for Congress". The Nevada Independent. March 11, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  6. 1 2 "For Teresa Benitez-Thompson, race is no barrier to love". USA Today.
  7. ↑ "Former Dem Assembly leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson to run for Congress". The Nevada Independent. March 11, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  8. ↑ "2020 Washoe Primary Election Results". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  9. ↑ "2020 Statewide General Election Results". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  10. ↑ "2018 Statewide General Election Results". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  11. ↑ "2018 Statewide Primary Election Results". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  12. ↑ "2016 Statewide Primary Election Results". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  13. ↑ "2016 Statewide General Election Results". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Ward 4 Bonnie Weber". City of Reno. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  15. ↑ "2014 Statewide Primary Election Results". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  16. ↑ "2014 Statewide General Election Results". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  17. ↑ "2012 Official Statewide General Election Results November 6, 2012". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  18. ↑ "1990 Primary and General Election Results". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  19. ↑ "2010 Official Statewide Primary Election Results". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  20. ↑ "2010 Official Statewide General Election Results". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
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