Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, will face Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford in November after both won their party's nominations in Tuesday's primaries, setting up what is considered one of the most competitive governor's races in the country.
The incumbent governor, who won by a narrow margin in 2022, is considered one of the most vulnerable governors in the nation this fall as Democrats seek to reclaim the seat. Nevada held primaries for several key offices as the state grapples with an affordable housing shortage, high energy costs and federal cuts to key programs.
What the Left Is Saying
Ford, who had the backing of Nevada's Democratic congressional delegation and former Vice President Kamala Harris, defeated Alexis Hill, a county commissioner in northern Nevada, in his party's primary. Ford argued that both Lombardo and President Donald Trump are responsible for Nevadans' economic woes.
At his victory party, Ford said: "This is all about strengthening the working class. And we will once again be a state where you can afford to live your own version of the American dream."
Ford and Hill focused their campaigns on affordability issues, including the state's shortage of affordable housing, some of the highest gas prices in the country and cuts to federal healthcare and food assistance programs.
Blake Howard, a Las Vegas Democrat who supported Ford, said he hoped Ford's experience would help him lower prices. "Everything just seems pretty much the same if not even worse with what he's done," Howard said of Lombardo.
What the Right Is Saying
John Burke, a spokesman for the Better Nevada PAC supporting Lombardo's re-election bid, responded to Ford's victory by saying: "Ford has 'never shown up for Nevadans, and he wouldn't be any different if he wins this election."
Lombardo did not comment after his primary win was called. Earlier at a polling location in Las Vegas, the governor thanked campaign volunteers and said he remained focused on housing affordability.
"We're running again because we still got a lot of work to do in that space," Lombardo told reporters as temperatures reached 94 degrees Fahrenheit outside a polling place in Las Vegas.
Joshua Garcia, a Las Vegas resident who backed Lombardo, said: "He just seems like a really good guy. He gets things done, he cares about the local community and that's what's important."
What the Numbers Show
Lombardo won re-election in 2022 by approximately 2.4 percentage points over Democratic challenger Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo's opponent, making Nevada one of only two states where Democrats lost gubernatorial races that year.
Nevada currently faces significant economic challenges: the state has some of the highest gasoline prices in the nation and continues to struggle with a shortage of affordable housing as population growth outpaces new construction.
The state has seen federal cuts to healthcare and food assistance programs under the Trump administration, affecting thousands of Nevada families. Nevada is one of several states where Democrats are expected to benefit from voter dissatisfaction with federal policies heading into November's elections.
The Bottom Line
The governor's race will test whether Lombardo can overcome national political headwinds that typically favor the opposing party in midterm elections. Ford's victory gives Democrats a candidate with statewide name recognition and experience as attorney general, while Lombardo enters the race as an incumbent with executive record to defend.
Both campaigns are expected to focus heavily on kitchen-table economic issues: housing costs, grocery prices and energy bills. The outcome could influence federal policy implementation in Nevada and determine control of state agencies that manage everything from water rights to education funding.
November's results will also serve as a benchmark for Democratic prospects nationally, with both parties watching closely to gauge the political mood heading into the 2026 midterms.