Teresa Benitez-Thompson

Taking on the System

Teresa Benitez-Thompson’s commitment to making a difference for those who need it the most  began as a teenager. When her younger sister got pregnant and work requirements to receive food assistance would have forced her to drop out of school, Teresa joined a small group of women fighting to change the law. She traveled to the state legislature and testified on behalf of her family, helping secure a change that allowed her sister to receive the assistance she needed to earn her degree while raising her son. That experience showed Teresa what is possible when ordinary people raise their voices, and sparked a lifelong commitment to organizing, social justice, and helping families secure the opportunities they deserve.

A Fighter for Northern Nevada Families

In 2010, she was elected to the Nevada Assembly, where she served for 12 years and became the State Assembly’s first Latina majority leader. During her time in the legislature she fought to create Nevada’s public-option healthcare program, expand access to contraception, address maternal mortality, and increase transparency in prescription drug pricing. After leaving the Nevada Legislature, Teresa served as chief of staff to Attorney General Aaron Ford, helping defend Nevadans and their legal protections against harmful Trump administration policies.

Teresa is running for congress because Northern Nevada families are working harder and getting less. As a mother raising four children, she understands the strain of rising grocery, housing, fuel, and healthcare costs. Teresa will fight to restore federal funding stripped from Nevada, expand affordable workforce housing, and create good-paying jobs that keep economic growth in local communities. 

Running to Flip NV-02

Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District is a race Democrats can win, and Teresa Benitez-Thompson is the strong, experienced candidate who can put this open seat in play. With the field wide open, Teresa brings deep Northern Nevadan roots, a proven record of delivering results for families, and a personal understanding of the challenges facing working Nevadans. She has spent her career turning those experiences into action and fighting for a more affordable future. EMILYs List is proud to stand with Teresa as she competes for this critical open seat and works to expand Democrats’ map in Nevada this November.