On a scale of stolen valor where a maximum ten might be a former 1960s draft card burning hippie who never served later roadside panhandling in camouflage with a tattered cardboard sign saying “Veteran needs help,” what’s going on in Nevada’s 2nd congressional district right now with GOP nominee David Flippo is, I dunno, a 2.5 or so. Others have expressed panic that Stolen Valor, especially among the Vietnam generation is rampant.
Basically, Flippo ran ads in the past and has been seen more recently with a V for valor on a Bronze Star that he didn’t earn—he did obtain the more common Bronze Star, but not the V that indicates heroism in combat (WaPo story, NPR). Military service hasn’t been as salient in this cycle’s midterms as it has been in the past, but the surprising competitiveness of some previously safe GOP seats means more attention by news outlets. That said, the betters traders over at Kalshi remain apparently skeptical that this embarrassing campaign gaffe will harm Flippo’s chances to win this open seat.
