From Mother Jones · Noah Lanard · · 2m
Nevada Republican’s Missing Money Trail
David Flippo’s campaign loans over $1.6 million while skipping financial disclosures
In brief
David Flippo’s campaign loans over $1.6 million while skipping financial disclosures Flippo’s campaign borrowed heavily without revealing assets, raising questions about his funding sources Originally reported by Mother Jones.
Flippo loans $600k to campaign
David Flippo borrowed $600,000 from his campaign in March 2026, repaying $12,000 within two days.
“Flippo’s campaign repaid him $12,000 of the money he had lent.”
Missing financial disclosures
Flippo skipped required financial reports despite reporting over $2.5 million in campaign loans.
“Flippo has submitted nothing, according to House financial disclosure records.”
Loans before disclosure deadline
Flippo made $1.6 million in loans to his campaign in the final days of FEC reporting periods.
“Between January 2025 and June 2026, FEC records show Flippo making numerous loans to his campaign committee worth more than $1.6 million.”
Home improvement loans
Flippo’s home improvement projects used collateral from his Las Vegas property.
“Two days later, Flippo was listed as a debtor to a company that specializes in financing home improvement projects.”
Family donations
Flippo’s relatives donated $7,000 each, including a niece and nephew who both gave $7,000 on the same day.
“Flippo’s niece and nephew were both reported as donating $7,000 on the same day in June 2025.”
Campaign treasurer’s ties
Flippo’s treasurer, Thomas Datwyler, also handles campaigns for Rep. Andy Ogles and George Santos.
“Datwyler also kept working Ogles after it was revealed that the Tennessee congressman had reported a nonexistent $320,000 loan to his 2022 campaign.”
Straw donations
Flippo’s relatives made large donations without apparent personal funds, raising red flags.
“It is illegal for individuals to make so-called straw donations that are funded by someone else.”
Campaign spending
Flippo’s campaign spent $2.1 million through June 2026, mostly through a GOP consultant’s firm.
“About 70 percent of that money has been routed through a campaign firm founded by Rory McShane.”
Missing disclosures
Flippo failed to file financial disclosures despite reporting over $1 million in loans to his campaign.
“Flippo has submitted nothing, according to House financial disclosure records.”
Campaign finance violations
Datwyler has been accused of filing false reports and hiding campaign finance violations.
“Datwyler was accused in a 2024 complaint submitted to the Justice Department of having a long history of running roughshod over federal campaign finance law.”
FEC reporting gaps
Flippo’s campaign reported loans but skipped required financial disclosures for over a year.
“Flippo’s first disclosure was due in May 2023.”
Political consultant ties
Flippo’s campaign uses a consultant with ties to far-right figures like Nick Fuentes.
“Flippo gave Trump’s second term an A+ and sought to ban Islamic religious law.”
Campaign finance expert
Campaign finance expert Brendan Fischer says Flippo’s loans don’t match his reported assets.
“The clearest example of that is George Santos, an early indicator that something was amiss was the fact that the large personal loans that he reported making to his campaign did not match the meager assets that he listed on his financial disclosure report.”
Campaign finance expert
Fischer notes Flippo’s loans could be funded by hidden assets or straw donations.
“It can raise red flags when people who would not otherwise appear to have the finances to make a contribution are all of a sudden making large contributions for the first time.”
Campaign finance expert
Flippo’s campaign has ties to multiple campaigns with questionable financial practices.
“Flippo and the super PAC also use the same treasurer: Datwyler, who was accused in a 2024 complaint submitted to the Justice Department of having a long history of running roughshod over federal campaign finance law.”
Campaign finance expert
Flippo’s campaign has ties to multiple campaigns with questionable financial practices.
“Flippo’s campaign reported spending $2.1 million through June, with about 70 percent routed through a campaign firm founded by Rory McShane.”
The key point
Flippo’s campaign borrowed heavily without revealing assets, raising questions about his funding sources
