Nevada Power Shift: Aaron Ford Defeats Joe Lombardo
The state attorney general will become the first Black governor in the Western U.S., ending a Republican hold on the office.
By Samuel Hayes ·
Aaron Ford, the Nevada attorney general, defeated incumbent Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo on Tuesday. The Associated Press called the race for Ford, marking a change in leadership for one of the most contested gubernatorial contests in the nation. Ford will be the first Black governor of a state west of the Mississippi River.
Ford entered the race as a seasoned politician with a long history in public service. He was first elected to the state legislature in 2012. Before entering politics, he practiced law and taught mathematics. His political career advanced when he became Nevada's first Black Senate majority leader. He later won the attorney general's office, where he led the state's legal challenges against the federal government.
The campaign focused heavily on the state's economic conditions. Ford argued that Lombardo and President Trump were responsible for the state's financial struggles. He cited gas prices that exceeded $5 per gallon and a decline in tourism as primary concerns. Ford pointed to tariffs and immigration enforcement as factors driving the drop in visitors, a key revenue source for the state.
Lombardo, who was elected in 2022, campaigned on a record of fiscal management and public sector support. He received an endorsement from President Trump. The former sheriff highlighted his first-term achievements, including pay increases for teachers and state employees. He also noted that his administration set aside $133 million to develop housing for middle-income residents. Before becoming governor, Lombardo served as a sheriff.
Both candidates addressed the growing presence of data centers in the state. They agreed on the need for tax incentives to attract the industry but disagreed on how to regulate it. Ford pledged to reverse some of Lombardo's executive actions if elected. He intends to bring back bills that Lombardo vetoed during his term.
Ford plans to restore legislation that would limit the number of homes large corporations can purchase. He also wants to give the state the power to adopt Medicaid negotiated prescription drug prices. These moves follow a period of record-breaking vetoes by Lombardo. Ford’s legal team previously challenged the Trump administration to uphold birthright citizenship and restore education funding.
Nevada faces potential financial losses due to federal policy changes. The state risks losing an estimated $1.2 billion in funding. This amount is tied to adjustments in Medicaid, food assistance, and Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies. Ford's victory ends Lombardo's first term and shifts the state's executive branch to Democratic control.
