Dancing the Wrong Direction
While Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is known for two-stepping to the Cupid Shuffle at community events, he’s dancing in the opposite direction from the state’s voters and his own party on immigration.
As a one-man band on sanctuary policies, he might need to learn some new moves to explain his record to voters as he has signaled his intention to enter the governor’s race.
Enjoyed attending the Faith Freedom Festival hosted by @power88vegas, celebrating #Juneteenth! pic.twitter.com/mQA3JIdKyE
— Aaron D. Ford (@AaronDFordNV) June 20, 2024
Governor Lombardo’s Enforcement Ensemble
The Better Nevada PAC, affiliated with Republcian Governor Joe Lombardo – who built his career enforcing the law rather than dancing around it – took aim at AG Ford this week, highlighting how his posture on immigration enforcement is increasingly out of step with fellow Democrats.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for Ford – just as Nevada’s Democratic congressional delegation voted to support the Laken Riley Act.
PAC’s statement declares:
“While Ford continues his strategy of pandering to the radical left, he’s putting himself increasingly out-of-step with Nevadans… even elected representatives of his own party,”
This points to how Ford’s Democratic colleagues in Congress, Susie Lee, Steven Horsford, and Dina Titus all supported the new immigration measure.
.@JosephMLombardo‘s @BetterNevadaPAC roasts @AaronDFordNV for cosponsoring a bill to make NV a sanctuary state after Nevada House Ds voted in support of the Laken Riley Act. pic.twitter.com/noJv9qidlL
— Victor Joecks (@VictorJoecks) January 8, 2025
On Beat: The Laken Riley Act
The legislation that has Ford stumbling hits close to home for many Nevadans.
Named for a 22-year-old nursing student murdered on the University of Georgia campus in February 2024, the bill would require ICE to take custody of undocumented immigrants who commit theft-related crimes.
Riley’s alleged killer had previously been cited for shoplifting but wasn’t turned over to immigration authorities – a gap in enforcement the new law aims to fix.
Sanctuary State Salsa
Better Nevada PAC didn’t pull any punches, highlighting Ford’s 2017 attempt to make Nevada a sanctuary state:
“Ford’s record on immigration shows just how far he’s willing to go against public safety. He cosponsored a bill that would have effectively made Nevada a sanctuary state, forcing law enforcement to turn a blind eye to immigration status even for those arrested for crimes.”
Dancing Solo
The contrast between Ford’s position and his fellow Democrats couldn’t be starker.
While Nevada’s House Democrats move in formation, reports indicate Senator Jacky Rosen will leap to break the filibuster in the Senate to pass it – leaving Ford increasingly isolated in his stance.
Meanwhile, Ford keeps performing his Sanctuary State solo as a one-man band. The contrast between Ford’s position and his fellow Democrats leave him flat-footed.
Stumbling Over His Own Steps
The Better Nevada PAC’s critique lands on cue because it shows Ford is missing the basic steps of public safety that Nevada voters expect.
The statement continues:
“Even members of his own party understand what Ford doesn’t – Nevadans want their laws enforced and their communities protected,”
The Laken Riley Act would also give state attorneys general the power to sue the Department of Homeland Security when immigration policies harm their states – authority Ford himself would have if the bill becomes law.
But given Ford’s past performances, he seems more likely to sit this dance out – even with the power to lead the enforcement tango.
Instead of stepping up to protect Nevada communities, Ford appears content to keep shuffling to his own sanctuary state soundtrack.
Tap Dancing the Issues
The split between Ford and other Nevada Democrats could reshape the state’s political landscape as Ford eyes the Governor’s Mansion. His political choreography is getting more complicated by the day :
While he shuffles left on immigration, Nevada’s Democratic congressional delegation moves right.
With public safety concerns top of mind for many voters, Ford may find that his tap dancing around sanctuary policies won’t play well with an electorate focused on law enforcement and border security.
The Final Spin
The Better Nevada PAC’s roasting of Ford isn’t just about past positions – it’s about highlighting how far he’s shimmied from both his party and Nevada voters on public safety issues.
The PAC concludes:
“When Nevada’s Democratic representatives in Congress understand the need for immigration enforcement better than our own Attorney General, it’s time for Ford to explain himself to voters,”
As the political music changes, Ford may find himself dancing alone on immigration – and Nevada voters may not find his out-of-sync solo to be a crowd pleaser.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
