Democrat Aaron Ford defeats Republican Joe Lombardo in Nevada gubernatorial race

Democrat Aaron Ford defeated Republican Governor Joe Lombardo in Nevada’s gubernatorial election on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press, which called the race at 4:46 a.m. Eastern time. Ford received 51.5% of the vote against Lombardo’s 44.3%, with 85% of the vote counted.

Candidate Platforms and Campaigns

Lombardo, a former Clark County sheriff who won his first term in 2022, centered his reelection campaign on his record regarding the state’s education system, public safety, and economy.

Ford, a former state Senate majority leader and two-term attorney general, focused his campaign on housing costs, affordability, and criticism of the Republican governor’s leadership.

The two candidates did not participate in a traditional gubernatorial debate. Lombardo declined to participate in an October candidate forum hosted by KUNR Public Radio, and while the campaigns exchanged invitations to other debates, they were unable to reach an agreement.

Campaign Controversies

Both candidates faced various controversies during the election cycle:

• Traffic Stop Dispute: A dispute arose regarding a May traffic stop where Lombardo was allegedly pulled over for running a red light in Las Vegas. Body-camera footage showed the governor identifying himself before the officer let him go without a citation. Ford accused Lombardo of "abusing his authority," while some Nevada Democrats questioned if he received preferential treatment.
• Endorsement Dispute: Ford’s campaign faced scrutiny after airing an advertisement featuring a member of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, despite the union having endorsed Lombardo. The organization accused the Ford campaign of "misleading voters about its support."
• AI Data Centers: The candidates differed on the development of artificial intelligence data centers on federal land. Lombardo expressed support for these projects, which are backed by local communities, while Ford questioned if they would benefit residents and proposed pausing tax breaks for the centers.

Why it matters

Nevada is considered a swing state. In 2024, Donald Trump won the state over Kamala Harris by approximately three points, while he lost to former President Joe Biden by a similar margin. The election results follow a period of competitive polling, with the Cook Political Report rating the race as a toss-up and a RealClearPolitics average showing the candidates in a "dead heat."

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Sources

• washingtonexaminer.com: Aaron Ford ousts Lombardo in Nevada gubernatorial race
• reviewjournal.com: Nevada governor’s race has heavy favorite in prediction markets | Betting | Sports

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.