Nevada Democrats Oust Republican Governor in Tight Midterm Win
Aaron Ford defeats Joe Lombardo to become the first Black governor west of the Mississippi, capitalizing on high fuel costs and federal funding threats.
By Andrew Hayes ·
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford defeated incumbent Republican Governor Joe Lombardo in a closely watched gubernatorial race. The Associated Press called the victory for Ford, ending Lombardo's two-year tenure in office.
The election outcome reflects voter concern over rising costs and federal policy shifts. Ford cited gas prices exceeding $5 per gallon as a primary driver of the state's economic strain. He also pointed to declining tourism revenue, attributing the drop to tariffs and federal immigration enforcement actions.
Federal funding changes pose a direct financial threat to the state budget. Nevada risks losing an estimated $1.2 billion in allocations tied to Medicaid, food assistance, and Affordable Care Act health insurance programs. Ford pledged to restore these funds if he wins, a stance that resonated with voters concerned about social safety nets.
Ford brings a history of public service to the governor's office. First elected to the state legislature in 2012, he previously practiced law privately and taught mathematics. He served as Nevada's first Black Senate majority leader before becoming attorney general. In that role, he joined lawsuits against the Trump administration to uphold birthright citizenship, prevent federal election interference, and restore education funding.
Lombardo, a former sheriff, secured his seat in 2022 with the endorsement of President Trump. During his first term, he increased pay for teachers and state employees. He also allocated $133 million for middle-income housing development. His campaign focused on continuing this work, while Ford accused him of failing to address core economic issues.
The candidates clashed on data center incentives. Both had supported tax breaks for the industry, but they disagreed on the level of scrutiny applied to these deals. Ford campaigned on a platform of reversing Lombardo's record-breaking vetoes. He promised to bring back bills limiting corporate home purchases and granting the state power to adopt Medicaid negotiated prescription drug prices.
Ford's victory makes him the first Black governor of a state west of the Mississippi River. The result shifts control of the state government and sets the stage for new legislative priorities in the coming year.
