Nevada Governor’s Race Puts Lombardo and Ford in Close Contest
Nevadans are choosing between Lombardo, a former sheriff seeking a second term, and Ford, the state’s attorney general. The contest is unfolding amid high gas prices, a shortage of housing, education concerns and a downturn in tourism, an important part of the state’s economy.
Lombardo points to work with the Democratic-controlled Legislature, including a $2.6 billion increase in education funding and $183 million for housing. He says he wants to recruit more health care workers and raise per-pupil funding. Ford has centered his campaign on affordability, pledging to address student loan debt and restrict development of artificial intelligence data centers.
The candidates have attacked each other’s records and policy plans. Lombardo has portrayed Ford as weak on crime and argued his proposals would cost too much. Ford has linked Lombardo to President Donald Trump and criticized the governor’s vetoes, including of a bill intended to limit home purchases by corporate investors. Lombardo has warned that Ford would bring higher taxes and more regulation.
The outcome could affect Democrats’ control of state government: if they win the governorship and retain legislative majorities, they would have their first state-government trifecta since Lombardo’s 2022 victory. Nevada’s large share of nonpartisan voters and its shifting population make the race difficult to predict, while both parties see the state as a potential early signal for 2028.
Polls close at 7 p.m. local time, but results may take time to settle. Mail ballots postmarked on Election Day can arrive for up to four days afterward, and the 2022 governor’s race was decided by 1.5 percentage points. Recounts are not automatic; candidates may request and pay for one.
Nevada Voters Weigh Affordability and Lombardo’s Veto Record
The Nevada governor’s race is a test of whether voters will keep a Republican governor who has repeatedly blocked legislation or choose Democrat Aaron Ford, who says affordability should be the priority. Ford has criticized Joe Lombardo for vetoing measures he said could make life more affordable, including a proposal to limit corporate investors’ home purchases.
Ford has promised to tackle student loan debt and curb development of artificial intelligence data centers. His campaign is taking place as Nevadans face high gas prices, a housing shortage and a tourism slump. Democrats have tied that economic pressure to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, pointing to a 17% decline in Canadian visitors to Las Vegas in 2025 amid a trade dispute between the two countries.
Lombardo highlights his work with the Democratic-controlled Legislature, including $2.6 billion in added education funding and $183 million invested in housing. But he has blocked more bills than any previous Nevada governor, describing those rejections as protection against Democratic bills he considers harmful. He warns Ford’s plans would be costly and says they threaten Nevada’s business-friendly climate.
A Ford victory, alongside continued Democratic legislative majorities, would give the party its first state-government trifecta since Lombardo narrowly won in 2022. The stakes extend beyond the state: Nevada is a closely watched battleground, and both parties view it as an early indicator of political forces ahead of 2028.
Polls close at 7 p.m. local time, though mail ballots postmarked on Election Day can arrive for four more days. Lombardo’s last victory came by 1.5 percentage points, and Nevada candidates may request and pay for a recount.
Lombardo’s Nevada Record Faces a Costly Democratic Challenge
Nevada’s governor’s race asks voters whether to continue with Joe Lombardo, who says his record includes major education and housing investments, or turn the state over to Democrat Aaron Ford. Lombardo argues Ford’s agenda would be too expensive and bring higher taxes and more regulation, framing the choice as one about Nevada’s economy and business climate.
Lombardo worked with the Democratic-controlled Legislature to increase education funding by $2.6 billion and invest $183 million in housing. He says he wants to bring more health care workers to Nevada and increase funding per pupil. Ford, meanwhile, has promised to address student loan debt and crack down on artificial intelligence data center development.
The campaign has also centered on law enforcement. Lombardo has portrayed Ford as soft on crime, while Ford has criticized the governor over a traffic stop in which Lombardo identified himself to an officer. Lombardo’s campaign has challenged Ford over his role in reviewing a request for mercy for a man convicted of killing a pregnant woman in 2017. The Democratic district attorney for Clark County has endorsed Lombardo rather than Ford.
Democrats could gain their first state-government trifecta since Lombardo’s 2022 election if Ford wins and the party keeps its legislative majorities. The governor has also warned that Ford would follow California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s approach to taxes and regulation; Newsom campaigned for Ford.
Polls close at 7 p.m. local time, and mail ballots postmarked on Election Day may arrive for up to four days afterward. Lombardo won in 2022 by 1.5 percentage points. Nevada recounts are not automatic, but candidates can request and pay for one.
Reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, PBS NewsHour.
