The frontrunner who won’t show up
Aaron Ford wants to be Nevada’s next governor. But apparently, he doesn’t want to answer questions about it. At least not in a public forum where someone might push back.
Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill, the other Democrat in the race, says she’s watched multiple media outlets try to set up a debate. Ford’s camp keeps saying no.
Hill put it plainly:
“Is he scared or what? What’s the issue here?”
Good question.
Ford offered this when asked why he won’t debate:
“What I have learned is that talking directly to voters is the best way to get the word out. I’m going to continue doing that. She can continue doing that as well, and that’s where we’re going to leave it.”
That’s a polished non-answer. Hill wasn’t buying it either.
“That is part of running for office, talking to voters. Of course. I do that every day,” she said.
“But I also believe that if you are going to run for office, you better be ready to defend your career of public service, what you’ve done for the state, what you want to do for the state, and the best way to do that are these open forums.”
She’s right. Debates aren’t just a tradition. They’re how voters get real information.
Why this matters to conservatives
You might be thinking: why should conservatives care about a fight inside the Democratic Party? Fair point. But this story has implications for everyone in Nevada.
Ford is the heavy favorite to win the Democratic primary and face Governor Joe Lombardo in November. He’s sitting on $1.5 million in campaign cash, compared to Hill’s $306,000.
He has endorsements from most of the Democratic establishment, including U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. By most measures, he’s the anointed candidate.
That means his debate-dodging habit matters beyond the primary. If Ford won’t defend his record against a fellow Democrat, why would he show up to defend it against Lombardo?
And Ford has plenty to defend.
“Airfare Aaron” and the ethics cloud
A Las Vegas Review-Journal analysis found that Ford spent approximately 137 days out of state in 2024 alone. That’s more than a third of the year. Meanwhile, Governor Lombardo traveled out of state about 30 days that same year.
Where was Ford going? His 2024 trips included Macau, Singapore, Normandy, Tulum, and Taipei, with a combined value of $35,000. Those trips were funded by outside organizations, primarily the Attorney General Alliance. Between 2017 and 2025, Ford accepted trips to destinations including Israel, Ghana, Qatar, Spain, South Africa, Poland, and South Korea, with a total reported value exceeding $140,000.
The problem isn’t just the travel. It’s who paid for it. The Attorney General Alliance is largely funded by corporations, some of which are subject to regulation or litigation before Ford’s office.
The Nevada Commission on Ethics agrees there’s something worth looking into. A state ethics panel advanced a case against Ford over allegations that he accepted luxury international trips and used his government social media accounts to promote his gubernatorial campaign. The complaint included a total of 18 potential violations of ethics law.
There’s more. In 2018, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the IRS filed three tax liens against Ford totaling more than $185,000 in unpaid taxes, interest, and penalties for the years 2010 through 2013. His campaign blamed the recession. But records show that in 2013, while owing the IRS six figures, he purchased a new home for $468,138.
These are not ancient history footnotes. They are fair questions for someone asking to run the entire state.
What comes next
Nevada’s primary is June 9. Between now and then, voters will hear plenty from Ford on his terms, in settings he controls. Town halls with friendly crowds. A listening tour through all 17 counties, where nobody is allowed to actually challenge him.
What they probably won’t get is a debate. Not against Hill. Possibly not against Lombardo either.
Conservatives should watch this closely. A candidate who won’t answer questions about luxury overseas trips, an active ethics case, and old tax liens is not a candidate who wants accountability. Politicians who dodge scrutiny on the campaign trail rarely become more transparent once they’re in office.
Hill put it best:
“If you are going to run for office, you better be ready to defend your career of public service.”
Aaron Ford isn’t ready. Nevada voters should remember that in November.
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.
