Washoe County Commissioner Shakes Up the Race
Washoe County Commission Chair Alexis Hill formally launched her campaign for governor Thursday, unveiling ambitious tax hike proposals that set up what could be a bruising Democratic primary fight with Attorney General Aaron Ford. Hill’s entry into the race signals that Democrats don’t have the united front they hoped for against Republican Governor Joe Lombardo.
This isn’t what Democratic leaders wanted. They’ve already backed Ford, who announced Thursday he’s raised more than $1.1 million since the launch of his campign. But Hill isn’t backing down, and her willingness to challenge the party favorite suggests Ford may have bigger problems than Democrats want to admit.
Ford Never Cleared the Field
The first sign that Ford hadn’t properly locked down the nomination came when former Governor Steve Sisolak started licking his lips at this race. Sisolak told The New York Times in April he was weighing a possible bid.
That’s when smart political observers knew Ford was in trouble. When a former governor who lost to Lombardo is considering getting back in the race, it means the current frontrunner isn’t looking strong enough to win.
Now Hill has made it official, and Sisolak is still “waiting and watching how things play out.” That’s political speak for “I’m keeping my options open because this race looks messy.”
The Money Problem
Here’s where things get interesting for conservatives watching this race. Ford has a big money advantage over Hill, but he’s still way behind Governor Lombardo. Ford has about $440,000 cash on hand, while Hill’s latest campaign finance filing shows a balance of $110,000. Meanwhile, Lombardo has a huge war chest, exceeding $5.5 million on hand.
That’s more than a 12-to-1 advantage for Lombardo over Ford. Even with the entire Democratic establishment behind him, Ford can’t keep up with conservative fundraising.
Ford’s Campaign Strategy: Sue Trump and Play Victim
Ford’s whole campaign seems built around two main themes. First, he loves to talk about how much he sued President Trump. He attacked Lombardo for “kowtowing to Trump” and made fighting Trump a centerpiece of his record. That might work in a Democratic primary, but it won’t help him with Nevada’s independent voters who want solutions, not political theater.
Second, Ford keeps trying to convince voters he’s just like them because he used to be poor.
“I know what it’s like to feel like you’re pushing a rock uphill in that fight for a better life,” Ford said in his nearly 17-minute campaign launch speech.
But here’s the problem with that message: if you can’t manage your own taxes when you’re struggling, how can voters trust you to manage a state budget? The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Aaron Ford “has a history of failing to fully pay his taxes.”
For limited government conservatives, Ford’s record should be deeply concerning. Ford is already back to his old tricks, suing President Trump’s administration in 2025. He’s joined lawsuits to block Trump’s federal funding review and other policies. While President Trump is working to stop wasteful spending and secure our border, Ford is fighting him in court with Nevada taxpayer money, again.
Hill’s Tax-and-Spend Agenda
Hill isn’t any better for conservatives. Hill’s platform includes sweeping progressive policies that failed to become law in recent years: eliminating business tax incentives that help attract jobs to Nevada, and imposing punitive tax rates on rental properties. That’s government picking winners and losers in the housing market.
She also wants temporary rent caps: an idea vetoed twice by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. Rent control has failed everywhere it’s been tried. It reduces housing supply and hurts renters by driving up costs.
Why This Matters for Conservatives
This primary fight is great news for limited government advocates. When Democrats fight each other, they waste money and time attacking their own instead of focusing on Governor Lombardo. The Democratic primary will force all candidates to move left to win progressive voters. That’s good news for conservatives because it makes the eventual nominee less appealing to moderate voters in the general election.
Both candidates represent the big government wing of the Democratic Party. Their policies would expand government control over housing, business, and law enforcement. They want higher taxes, more regulations, and less economic freedom for Nevada families.
The Polls Show Lombardo’s Strength
While Democrats fight among themselves, Governor Lombardo is in a strong position. The latest Morning Consult survey released July 16 found Gov. Lombardo approved of by 53% of Nevadans polled, compared to only 32% who disapproved—net approval of +21%
A June poll by Hart Research, a Democratic polling firm, showed Lombardo with an approval rating of 51 percent and disapproval of 38 percent among all respondents. Even Democratic pollsters can’t deny he maintains positive numbers.
The 2026 race for Nevada governor is rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report, but “Leaning Republican” is the non-partisan assessment of Larry Sabato’s “Crystal Ball” project at the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.
In 2022, Lombardo was the only challenger in the country to defeat an incumbent governor, and Nevada was the only blue-to-red governor flip that year. He knows how to win tough races against the odds.
What Critics Are Saying
Democrats are trying to downplay the primary battle.
“Nevadans are looking for a Governor who understands the economic pressures people are facing and who has the experience to deliver real solutions,” said Ford’s campaign manager, Zoë Kleinfeld.
But Hill fired back that she’s “offering a different way” from Ford’s establishment approach.
The progressive group Third Way recently warned Democrats to stop using radical language that turns off voters. A new memo from is telling party members to stop using dozens of common progressive terms. That shows how out of touch the left has become with regular Nevada families.
What’s Next
The Democratic primary will be held in June 2026. And remember, Sisolak is still lurking in the wings. He might decide this primary fight makes it the perfect time to jump back in for another shot.
But here’s another name to watch: Steve Yeager.
The Assembly Speaker has been awfully quiet about his future plans. With Joe Dalia entering the treasurer race, there’s speculation Yeager might end up taking Justin Jones’s spot on the Clark County Commission. But some political insiders think Yeager is holding out in case Ford’s poll numbers crater. If Ford starts looking like a weak nominee, don’t be surprised if Yeager decides the governor’s race needs another “experienced” Democrat.
Three or even four Democrats fighting for the nomination would be even better news for conservatives.
For conservatives, this creates a clear opportunity. While Democrats fight over who can be more progressive, we can offer Nevada families what they really want: limited government, individual freedom, and common-sense solutions to real problems.
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.
