Why This Matters Now
Nevada Democrats seem confused about what voters actually want. Just last week at their Las Vegas summit, party leaders talked about dropping culture war issues and focusing on the economy. But now they’re saying abortion will be front and center in 2026. This flip-flop shows how out of touch they are with regular folks.
What the Numbers Really Show
The facts tell a clear story. In Nevada’s 2022 midterms, almost 30 percent of voters said abortion was their top issue. But by 2024, that number crashed to just 11 percent. Voters cared more about putting food on the table and gas in their cars.
Political experts say voters were thinking about the economy instead of social issues. They doubt abortion will resonate again with economic problems still hurting families.
This makes perfect sense. When families are struggling to pay rent and groceries cost twice what they did four years ago, most people don’t have the luxury of worrying about other issues.
Ford’s Claims Don’t Match His Actions
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, who wants to be governor, claims reproductive rights will be “at the forefront” of his 2026 campaign. But his actual campaign tells a different story.
Since launching in July, Ford has focused almost entirely on housing costs, unemployment, education funding, and healthcare prices. His campaign launch statement promised to “lower the crushing cost of housing and prescription drugs, strengthen our public schools, and ensure every community in Nevada is safe.” No mention of abortion.
His campaign video attacked Lombardo over Nevada’s high unemployment rate and underfunded schools. Again, abortion was nowhere to be found. Even in a lengthy August op-ed outlining his vision, Ford wrote extensively about stopping corporate home buyers and investing in housing and schools. Abortion didn’t get a single mention. So much for being “at the forefront.”
Governor Lombardo’s Smart Approach
Governor Joe Lombardo has taken a much smarter path. He says abortion rights are already codified in state law and should be left up to Nevada voters. In other words, the people have already decided this issue.
Lombardo’s team gets it. Campaign spokeswoman Halee Dobbins, said:
“While Democrats want to relitigate an issue Nevadans settled long ago, Governor Lombardo continues to focus on expanding healthcare, lowering the cost of living, and building a strong Nevada for the next generation.”
This is exactly what limited government conservatives want to hear. Keep government out of people’s lives and focus on the basics that actually matter.
The Ballot Measure Battle
There will be one abortion-related issue on the 2026 ballot. A constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights passed with 64 percent of the vote last year and must pass again to take effect. The measure wouldn’t change current abortion access but supporters say it protects against future attacks.
Nevada Right to Life is gearing up to defeat the amendment this time around. The group’s president, Melissa Clement, said they were badly outspent in 2024 but promised that “we will definitely be spending more” this election cycle. They’re planning traditional campaign tactics like door knocking, phone calls, church outreach, and digital advertising.
The Real Issues Voters Care About
Latino voters, one of Nevada’s fastest-growing groups, show what really matters to families. “I think right now we see the economy certainly at the top of the concerns and issues related to the pocketbook,” said Clarissa Martínez de Castro from UnidosUs.
She added that while abortion still matters to people, when it comes to priorities, “it may not be the most potent.”
Translation: People vote with their wallets, not their feelings about social issues.
What This Means for Conservatives
This whole situation is great news for limited government conservatives. It shows Democrats are still stuck fighting culture wars instead of solving real problems.
There’s an old saying about never interrupting your enemy when they’re making a mistake. Ford and the Democrats seem determined to keep making strategic errors – claiming they’ll focus on an issue that dropped from 30 percent to 11 percent voter priority while voters actually care about the economy. Smart conservatives should let them keep chasing yesterday’s battles while focusing on what actually matters to voters today.
What Conservatives Should Do
First, keep hammering on kitchen table issues. Talk about jobs, taxes, and the cost of living every single day. Second, point out how out of touch Democrats are when they ignore what voters actually want. Third, support candidates like Lombardo who understand that most issues should be decided by voters, not politicians.
The path forward is simple. Stick to limited government principles, focus on the economy, and let Democrats chase ghosts from 2022.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
