(Gov. Joe Lombardo) – My fellow Nevadans,
When I took office nearly four years ago, Nevada was facing some serious challenges.
Our economy was still struggling to recover from the pandemic. Too many small businesses had closed their doors, families were struggling to make ends meet, our schools were falling behind, and crime was moving in the wrong direction.
I knew we had our work cut out for us.
But I also knew what Nevada was capable of, and I believed that with common sense, hard work and the right leadership, we could get our state back on track.
Today, I’m proud of how far we’ve come — but I also know that we’re not finished yet.
Our economy is stronger than it was four years ago.
Nevada now leads the nation in post-pandemic small business recovery, wage growth and job growth.
We’ve created more than 100,000 jobs, attracted billions in private investment and brought unemployment to its lowest level since February 2020.
We’ve also eliminated more than 900 unnecessary regulations and reduced taxes on thousands of small businesses.
That progress didn’t happen by accident.
We made Nevada a place where businesses can succeed, workers can get ahead, and families can build a better future.
We’ve made real progress in education, too.
When I took office, our schools were struggling with declining student performance, school safety, chronic absenteeism and teacher shortages.
We responded with a historic $2 billion investment in education, increased teacher pay, expanded school choice and brought accountability and safety back into our classrooms.
Today, student literacy and graduation rates are improving.
We have 73% more five-star schools and 39% fewer one-star schools, and teacher vacancies have fallen by 80%.
Our schools are safer, too, with bullying down 14%, cyberbullying down 20% and student suspensions down 17%.
There’s still work to do, but our students are making progress, and we’re moving in the right direction.
As a former sheriff, public safety will always be personal to me.
When I became governor, Nevada families were rightfully concerned about rising crime and the safety of their neighborhoods.
I promised to stand with law enforcement, hold criminals accountable and make our communities safer.
We passed the Crime Reduction Act and the Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act, strengthened penalties for dangerous criminals and gave law enforcement more tools to do their jobs.
Since 2022, both violent crime and property crime have fallen by 16% statewide.
I spent nearly three decades in law enforcement, and I’ve stood face to face with crime victims during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Those experiences have stayed with me, and they’re why I’ve always believed our justice system must put victims before criminals.
Violent offenders belong behind bars, and Nevada families deserve a governor who will never waver in protecting them.
We’ve also taken meaningful steps to address some of Nevada’s biggest challenges.
We passed historic housing legislation to invest in affordable and attainable housing, help more Nevadans achieve homeownership, and increase our housing supply.
We’ve worked to expand access to healthcare, strengthen our rural hospitals, invest in mental health services and train more doctors right here in Nevada.
These are challenges that won’t be solved overnight, but we’ve laid the groundwork for lasting progress.
Through it all, I’ve remained committed to something I believe is fundamental to good government: balance.
For four years, I’ve been the only thing standing between Nevada families and single-party control of our state government.
I don’t believe either political party should have unchecked power, and I don’t believe good ideas belong exclusively to Republicans or Democrats.
That’s why I’ve worked across the aisle and signed thousands of bipartisan bills into law.
I’ve never cared who gets the credit. I care about getting results.
But bipartisanship doesn’t mean agreeing with everything that comes across my desk.
I’ve never been afraid to say no to legislation that would hurt Nevada families, burden our businesses, or undermine public safety.
And I’ve stood firm against California-style policies that would raise the cost of everyday necessities like gas and groceries, increase taxes and give government more control over our lives.
I believe that’s what Nevadans elected me to do: work together where we can, stand firm where we must, and always put Nevada first.
Before I was governor, I spent decades in law enforcement, protecting and serving the people of this state.
That commitment to public service has guided me throughout my career, and it continues to guide every decision I make as governor.
I also want to thank my wife, Donna, for her unwavering love and support.
She’s served as First Lady with grace, compassion and a genuine heart for Nevada families. I’m incredibly proud of her, and I couldn’t do this without her.
Serving as your governor has been the honor of my life.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, but I know our work isn’t finished.
We have more to do to make life affordable, improve our schools, keep our communities safe and ensure every Nevadan has the opportunity to succeed.
Four years ago, I asked you to put your trust in me. I’ve worked every day to earn it.
Today, I’m humbly asking for your vote and the opportunity to continue serving you for another four years.
Joe Lombardo is the 31st governor of Nevada and is running for re-election in 2026. This article was originally published via RGJ.com on 10/27/2026. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology may have been used in the research, writing, or production of this article. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
