Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, center, poses with supporters outside a vote center on June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas.Jae C. Hong/AP
Nevada’s gubernatorial primary has culminated in a contest between incumbent Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo and Democratic nominee Attorney General Aaron Ford, with the outcome serving as an indicator of whether GOP governors in swing states can succeed while distancing themselves from President Donald Trump’s unfavorable approval ratings, a scenario with potential ramifications for 2028.
Concerns about the economy, international conflicts, a contentious mass deportation initiative, and the president’s low approval ratings could present challenges for Lombardo, notwithstanding a Republican presidential candidate winning the state for the first time in twenty years in 2024.
Nevada presents a particularly insightful case study: an economy heavily reliant on tourism, a working-class Latino voter base, and a growing segment of non-affiliated voters. Since Lombardo’s 2022 election, the number of registered independents has risen significantly in the state.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, center, poses with supporters outside a vote center on June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas.Jae C. Hong/AP
Las Vegas’s tourism sector experienced a decline of 7.5% last year, while unemployment continues to rank among the highest nationally.
When asked if he could promise a reduction in unemployment, Lombardo stated in a release that since his assumption of office, “…Inflation has decreased, wages are climbing, housing costs are stabilizing, and Nevada is a national leader in post-pandemic job creation, as well as in growth for both small businesses and wages.”
His supporters have highlighted his contributions to the state’s educational framework.
“The governor has endeavored to narrow the disparity in per-student spending through several billion dollars in appropriations without tax increases, alongside implementing open enrollment, expanding school choice options, and enacting accountability reforms,” stated John Burke, a spokesperson for a pro-Lombardo PAC. “We are already observing positive outcomes, with graduation rates on the rise and students receiving the necessary resources for achievement.”
Ford, who as a single parent in college relied on public assistance programs like food stamps and Medicaid, has emphasized his focus on economic accessibility.
“Nevadans… are struggling to afford housing, healthcare, gasoline, and groceries, and this entire Lombardo-Trump economic model is failing working people while benefiting the billionaire class,” Ford stated in an interview with ABC News.
Gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford, Nevada attorney general, celebrates during a primary election night watch party after winning the Democratic nomination on June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas.Jae C. Hong/AP
Ford has secured the endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris and Nevada’s Democratic congressional representatives.
“He has actively combatted the trafficking of fentanyl across our southern border, pursued unscrupulous landlords inflating prices for working families, and successfully obtained over $1 billion in settlements by taking on major pharmaceutical corporations,” stated Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., in a communication to ABC News.
Lombardo, a former Clark County sheriff who received Trump’s endorsement, remarked in a KLAS interview that Nevadans might need to endure some temporary hardship due to Trump’s tariff policies to achieve job growth—a point that Democrats have utilized in their campaigns.
“[Trump] campaigned on it, he was very explicit and transparent about his strategy to achieve that goal,” Lombardo commented last year. “Therefore, I believe we might need to face some difficulties in the short term, with the hope that it yields significant benefits for us in the long run.”
Ford has initiated legal action against the Trump administration on more than 40 occasions, including disputes over tariffs.
“I litigated against those tariffs, emerged victorious, and I will not cease until Nevadans reclaim the $1,700 of unlawfully collected funds from their pockets, which they were compelled to pay in additional taxes due to those tariffs,” Ford declared.
Peter Guzman, president of the Nevada Latin Chamber of Commerce, informed ABC News that Lombardo engaged in discussions with the White House that led to Nevada being spared from large-scale immigration enforcement operations.
A cutout of a knight holding a hockey stick and wearing an “I Voted” sticker is seen at a vote center on June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. The city’s Golden Knights are playing the Carolina Hurricanes for the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup.Jae C. Hong/AP
“We have managed to avert any significant disruption concerning ICE operations, thanks to his established connections, not only with the Trump administration but also stemming from his extensive background in law enforcement,” Guzman stated.
Nevada Republicans have voiced criticism regarding Ford’s extensive travel, citing at least 322 days spent outside the state, primarily for professional conferences, according to an analysis by The Nevada Independent of his schedule. Republican campaign advertisements have labeled him “high-flying Aaron Ford.”
Ford dismissed these accusations as “childish” and asserted that collaborating with attorneys general across the nation has been instrumental in “addressing issues that extend beyond state boundaries.”
In 2022, Lombardo unseated the incumbent Democrat Gov. Steve Sisolak by a narrow margin of just 1.5%.
“Elections in Nevada are typically decided by very slim margins. While both political parties have their dedicated supporters, a crucial bloc of voters in the center ultimately determines the outcome of these contests, and the most effective candidate will capture those votes,” Burke remarked.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com