The fight to keep Nevada’s governor strong runs right through your local legislative races.
Gov. Joe Lombardo has stopped more bills than any governor in Nevada history. He vetoed a record 75 bills in 2023. Then he broke his own record with 87 vetoes in 2025.
But here is the catch. A veto only works if lawmakers can’t vote around it. And the people who decide that are on your ballot right now.
The Veto Needs Backup
Nevada lawmakers can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. That means 28 of 42 votes in the Assembly and 14 of 21 in the Senate.
Democrats hold 27 Assembly seats and 13 Senate seats. They are one seat short in each chamber.
Think of the veto like a goalie. A great goalie still needs defenders. If the other team gets enough players past midfield, the goalie can’t stop every shot. These candidates are the defenders.
Lombardo explained what he is defending against in a June 2025 statement.
“I do not enjoy using the veto pen, but as Governor, it is my responsibility to protect Nevadans from legislation that goes too far, expands government unnecessarily, or creates unintended consequences that hurt families, businesses, or our economy,” he said.
Rafael Arroyo, Senate District 12
Rafael Arroyo’s story is a classic Nevada one.
He was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Las Vegas. He opened his first business at 23. Today his Smog Plus shops have nine locations and employ more than 35 Nevadans.
As president of a state business group, he also helped pass a bill that kept DMV services open to drivers during the pandemic.
This is not his first race. In 2024, he ran in Assembly District 41 and lost by just 250 votes to Democratic leader Sandra Jauregui. Now he is challenging Democratic Sen. Julie Pazina.
Arroyo is endorsed by Lombardo. The Las Vegas Review-Journal endorsed him too, noting he wants to “keep those bad California policies out of Nevada.”
“I’ll hold government accountable on wasteful spending, restore consequences for crime, protect small businesses, and give parents more say in education,” Arroyo wrote on X.
The Senate is where the math is tightest. Democrats need just one more seat to reach 14.
Kelly Chapman, Assembly District 41
Chapman grew up in Las Vegas. She has worked on the Strip for nearly 30 years, mostly as a casino pit boss. She is endorsed by Lombardo and Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill.
“For a long time, I was just waiting for somebody else to fix it, and eventually, I decided, OK, why not me?” Chapman told The Nevada Independent.
She first ran in 2024, losing by about 8 points to Democrat Duy Nguyen in Assembly District 8. This year she is running for the open seat Arroyo nearly won. President Trump carried the district in 2024.
Public safety is personal for her. She lost a casino co-worker, Shauna Tiaffay, who was murdered in 2012. Chapman wants tougher penalties for repeat shoplifters. She opposes a 2019 law that raised the felony theft line from $650 to $1,200.
“Why do I have to go to CVS and my deodorant’s locked behind a glass case? It’s ridiculous,” she said.
Chapman also outraised her opponent, bringing in $90,000 through June compared to $62,600 for Democrat Vinny Spotleson.
Her district overlaps Arroyo’s, and the two plan to campaign together. Win both, and Republicans push Democrats away from two-thirds in both chambers at once.
Rebecca Edgeworth, Assembly District 35
Edgeworth is the Republican incumbent, facing Democrat Joe Spica.
She is the only Republican incumbent among the nine races drawing the most money this fall. That tells you Democrats see her seat as a path to two-thirds. Keeping it is just as important as flipping a new one.
More Names to Know
In Senate District 9, Republican Maria Thompson is challenging Sen. Melanie Scheible.
In Senate District 8, Republican George Harris is taking on Sen. Marilyn Dondero Loop.
Each of these races is another chance to protect the veto.
What Comes Next
If Democrats reach two-thirds, many vetoed bills could come back in 2027 and pass anyway. If Republicans hold the line, the governor keeps his power to say no.
Want to meet two of these candidates in person?
The tacos are on us this Saturday!
Come out to Silverado Ranch Park on Saturday, October 24, from 10 AM to noon to meet Kelly Chapman, running for Assembly in District 41, and Rafael Arroyo, running for State Senate in District 12. Free food, drinks, and plenty of fun for the whole family.
Early voting runs through Friday, October 30, so grab a plate, meet your candidates, and make your plan.
RSVP is required: https://t.co/PcButha9jy
— Albert Mack (@VoteAlbertMack) October 21, 2026
Albert Mack’s PAC is hosting a free taco event this Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at Silverado Ranch Park. Kelly Chapman and Rafael Arroyo will both be there. Food and drinks are free, and the whole family is welcome.
RSVP is required at TheMackPAC.com/RSVP3.
The governor’s race will grab the headlines. But if you want Lombardo’s veto to keep working, the races that matter most may be near the bottom of your ballot.
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.
