Teresa Benitez-Thompson
American politician from Nevada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Teresa Benitez-Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Majority Leader of the Nevada Assembly | |
| In office November 9, 2016 – November 9, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Anderson |
| Succeeded by | Sandra Jauregui |
| Member of the Nevada Assembly from the 27th district | |
| In office November 3, 2010 – November 9, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Sheila Leslie |
| Succeeded by | Angie Taylor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Teresa Francisca Benitez July 25, 1978 Ventura, California, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic (1998–present) |
| Spouse | Jeff Thompson |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | University of Nevada, Reno (BA) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (MSW) |
| Website | Campaign website |
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 four 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]
