Aaron Ford wins Nevada governorship in tight election
The Democratic attorney general defeated incumbent Joe Lombardo, securing the state's first Black governor and a key win for the party in a 2028 battleground.
By Andrew Yang ·
Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford defeated Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo to become Nevada's first Black governor. The result ends Lombardo's tenure and shifts control of the western state to the Democratic Party. This victory gives Democrats a strategic foothold in a state that will likely decide the next presidential election.
Ford has served as the state's top prosecutor since 2019. During his campaign, he emphasized his background in public service and his focus on economic affordability. He promised to pause new tax abatements for artificial intelligence data centers and oppose projects on federal land. He also vowed to tackle student loan debt and crack down on corporate homeownership to lower costs for residents.
Lombardo, who served in law enforcement for over 25 years, attacked Ford's record on crime. The incumbent questioned whether Ford was soft on criminals while serving as attorney general. Lombardo also portrayed Ford as a threat to the state's business-friendly climate. He warned that Ford would bring high taxes and heavy regulations to Nevada, similar to policies in California.
The race featured intense scrutiny of both candidates' law enforcement backgrounds. Ford's campaign pointed to an incident where Lombardo avoided a traffic ticket in Las Vegas by telling an officer he was the governor. In response, Lombardo's team criticized Ford for sponsoring a clemency application for a man who killed a pregnant woman in 2017. The Democratic district attorney for Clark County added to the pressure by endorsing Lombardo over his party colleague.
Economic concerns dominated the final weeks of the campaign. Democrats linked Lombardo to President Donald Trump's tariffs, arguing that the trade dispute with Canada harmed Las Vegas tourism. Canadian visitors to the state dropped by 17% in 2025. Ford used these figures to argue that the incumbent's approach to national politics was damaging local jobs and wallets.
National Democrats viewed Nevada as a critical target for 2028. California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned for Ford to help him secure the win. Trump won the state in 2024 with 50.6% of the vote, making the 2026 result a notable shift in the political balance. The state's electorate includes nearly 40% nonpartisan voters, which often makes statewide races unpredictable.
Ford spoke at a watch party in Las Vegas after securing the lead. He credited the campaign's success to faith, family, and hard work. He stated that the people of Nevada decided their best days are still ahead of them. His victory marks a change in leadership for a state with only six electoral college votes but high importance in the national nominating calendar.
