Aaron Ford is laying the groundwork for a run at Nevada’s governor’s mansion in 2026.
But he’s not doing it from a campaign office or with a yard sign. He’s doing it from behind the official seal of the Nevada Attorney General.
This campaign commercial is sponsored by the “Aaron Ford for Governor” campaign and paid for by Nevada taxpayers. https://t.co/vwBOGcg9aM
— Chuck Muth (@ChuckMuth) April 21, 2025
Now, to be clear, there’s no smoking gun here.
No “Ford for Governor” logo stamped on taxpayer-funded materials. No donation links snuck into government posts. But that’s exactly the point.
What Ford’s doing is clever, calculated—and arguably crosses the ethical line, if not the legal one.
Using the Office to Boost the Brand
In April 2025, Ford posted from his official AG account on X about visiting Washoe County school teachers and principals to discuss proposed budget cuts.
Today, AG @AaronDFordNV is visiting with Washoe County public school teachers, principals and educators about proposed budget cuts and the impact these cuts will have on the classroom. pic.twitter.com/g2oiDZWQOx
— NV Attorney General (@NevadaAG) April 29, 2025
Sounds innocent enough, right? Just a concerned public servant meeting with educators.
Except… public education policy and state budget talks don’t fall squarely under the job description of the state’s top lawyer.
That’s the governor’s lane—or, more accurately, a candidate for governor’s lane.
And when you start looking at the bigger picture—the sheer volume of polished, high-visibility posts over the last couple of months—the pattern becomes clear.
Ford isn’t just sharing updates. He’s building a narrative. A campaign story. One where he’s the hero of every issue that polls well with swing voters: education, healthcare, public safety, and so on.
Not Illegal… But Not Innocent, Either
Nevada’s ethics laws—specifically, NRS Chapter 281A—say public officials can’t use government time, money, or resources for personal or political gain. That includes using taxpayer-funded social media accounts to run a campaign.
But what about when those accounts are technically posting about “official business”?
That’s the loophole Ford seems to be walking through with precision.
There’s no clear campaign slogan, no call to “Vote Ford 2026.”
But when every post paints him as the savior of Nevada’s middle class, defender of teachers, and fighter against Trump-era policies, you don’t need the words “campaign ad” in the post to get the message.
The message is the campaign.
It’s like handing out free samples at Costco. They’re not technically selling you anything, but you know exactly what they want you to buy.
A Pattern of Political Promotion
And it’s not just one or two posts.
Ford’s official X account has been pumping out a steady stream of politically charged content—attacking the Trump administration, promoting Democratic legislation, and aligning himself with hot-button issues that appeal to the left-of-center base.
He’s weighed in on education cuts. He’s made statements on environmental regulations. He’s even posted support for resolutions condemning presidential pardons related to January 6th.
Attorney General Ford has issued the following statement in support of AJR 14, which condemns the Jan. 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol and denounces a presidential pardon to those involved. pic.twitter.com/zPnDc5rfzC
— NV Attorney General (@NevadaAG) April 4, 2025
All of it conveniently positions him as a partisan fighter and future candidate—on the taxpayer’s dime.
Let’s be honest. If a Republican attorney general had used their official account to rail against the Biden White House and highlight meetings with conservative policy groups, Ford’s allies in the media would be crying foul.
The Spirit of the Law Still Matters
Supporters will argue that everything Ford’s doing is within the letter of the law. And maybe that’s true—technically.
But there’s more to ethics than checking legal boxes. The spirit of the law matters, too.
Public office is a public trust. Taxpayer-funded platforms are meant to serve the people, not boost a politician’s next job application.
Even if Ford isn’t breaking any rules on paper, he’s clearly bending them to the point of snapping.
Nevadans deserve better than a shadow campaign dressed up as “official business.”
What Can Be Done?
If you’re concerned about this kind of behavior, there are a few things you can do:
- Watch for patterns: If Ford continues posting about education, public health, or other campaign-friendly issues with little direct connection to the AG’s actual duties, it’s worth raising a red flag.
- File a records request: The public has the right to know how official social media posts are developed. Are campaign consultants involved? Is taxpayer-funded staff strategizing for 2026?
- Contact the Ethics Commission: Nevada has a formal process to review complaints. Even if the posts aren’t illegal, the commission can look into whether they violate the state’s ethical standards.
Aaron Ford may not be running TV ads yet—but he’s running a campaign all the same.
And he’s doing it on your dime.
Whether it breaks the law or not, it’s an abuse of the public’s trust. And that’s something no Nevadan, right or left, should ignore.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
