Aaron Ford Beats Gov. Joe Lombardo in Nevada Governor Race
Democrat Aaron Ford, Nevada's attorney general, has unseated Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, according to an Associated Press projection. He becomes the state's first Black governor.
Nevada Democrat Aaron Ford has defeated Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, according to an Associated Press projection, flipping the governor’s office to Democrats in one of the country’s most watched statewide races. Ford, the state’s attorney general since 2019, becomes Nevada’s first Black governor and ends a Republican hold on the office that began when Lombardo beat Democrat Steve Sisolak in 2022.
What happened
Ford ran on affordability, housing, education, healthcare and protecting abortion access, arguing that Nevada families were squeezed by high housing costs and rising energy bills under Lombardo. Lombardo defended his record on public safety, education, economic development and government spending, saying his administration raised education funding, expanded workforce development and worked to diversify the economy beyond tourism and gaming.
The two also clashed over taxes, immigration, crime and the state’s growing energy demands, including power needs tied to data centers and large industrial projects. Lombardo accused Ford of proposing expensive programs without a funding plan, citing a campaign analysis that put the cost of Ford’s full platform at billions of dollars over four years. Ford rejected that analysis, saying it relied on spending assumptions that were not part of his proposals, and argued his agenda could be paid for with existing state resources, federal funding and policy changes.
Ford repeatedly criticized Lombardo for aligning with President Donald Trump and national Republicans, and as attorney general he frequently challenged Trump administration policies in court.
Why it matters
Democrats already hold majorities in both chambers of the Nevada Legislature, so depending on other results from Tuesday night, Ford could enter office with unified Democratic control of state government. That would give him a legislature broadly aligned with his agenda, though the source notes that disagreements over taxes, education spending, public safety and the business climate could remain.
The result also likely raises Nevada’s profile as a Democratic counterweight to the federal government as the state moves toward the 2028 presidential election. Housing affordability was one of the defining issues of the race, and Nevada has faced a shortage of affordable homes, especially around Las Vegas and Reno, with rising rents and mortgage rates pressuring working- and middle-class residents.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winner | Aaron Ford (D), Nevada attorney general since 2019 |
| Defeated | Gov. Joe Lombardo (R), elected in 2022 |
| Projection | Associated Press |
| Historic first | Nevada’s first Black governor |
| Party shift | Democrats last held the governor’s office before Lombardo beat Steve Sisolak in 2022 |
| Legislative backdrop | Democrats hold majorities in both state legislative chambers |
| Top campaign issues | Housing affordability, energy costs, education, abortion, immigration, crime |
What this means for you
- Nevada residents: Ford campaigned on lowering housing and energy costs and protecting abortion access. Those are promises, not enacted policy, and any changes would depend on the legislature and the state budget.
- Taxpayers and businesses: Watch for debate over taxes, education spending and the business climate. Ford says his plans can be funded with existing resources and federal money; Lombardo’s campaign disputed that.
- Voters elsewhere: The race is a data point on how cost-of-living concerns and Trump alignment played in a battleground state, which may shape how both parties campaign in 2028.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Aaron Ford?
He is Nevada’s attorney general, a post he has held since 2019, and a Democrat. As attorney general he frequently challenged Trump administration policies in court.
Who did Joe Lombardo beat in 2022?
Lombardo defeated Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak in 2022, ending Democratic control of the governor’s office.
What was the Nevada governor’s race about?
Housing affordability was a defining issue, along with energy costs, education, crime, abortion, immigration and the state’s reliance on tourism and gaming.
Will Democrats control all of Nevada’s state government?
Democrats already hold both legislative chambers. Whether that adds up to unified control depends on other results from Tuesday night, according to the source.
What to watch next
Other Tuesday night results will determine whether Democrats win unified control of state government. Ford will then face pressure to deliver on his campaign promises amid budget, housing, education and infrastructure challenges, and it is not yet clear how he would fund his agenda or how the legislature would receive it.
- Democrat Aaron Ford defeated Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, per an Associated Press projection.
- Ford becomes Nevada's first Black governor and returns the office to Democratic hands.
- Democrats already control both legislative chambers, so the result could mean unified state control.
- Housing affordability and energy costs were central issues in the race.
