The Alleged Violation
Jill Douglass, who chairs the Clark County Republican Party, submitted an election integrity violation report on November 17th. She says Nevada Attorney General AaronFord (D) kept raising money for his gubernatorial campaign after Governor Joe Lombardo called lawmakers back to Carson City for a special session at 5:30 PM on November 12th.
Here’s the problem: Nevada law specifically bans statewide officials like the Attorney General from taking campaign donations during special sessions.
The rule is pretty clear-cut in Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 294A.300. It says the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Controller, and Attorney General can’t ask for or accept campaign contributions during these periods.
The Evidence
According to the complaint, Ford’s campaign sent out a fundraising email at 7:36 PM on November 12th – just two hours after the call to special session officially started. The email, with the subject line “Last call,” told supporters,:
“Time is running out before our fundraising blackout hits, and we’re tracking $5,824 behind our goal.”
Even more concerning, Douglass says Ford’s online donation portal was still accepting contributions at 6:35 AM the next morning, November 13th. Screenshots included with the complaint appear to show the fundraising website was still active and ready to process donations well after the blackout period began.
Why This Matters
These fundraising blackout rules exist for a good reason. They’re meant to stop elected officials from mixing their official duties with campaign activities. When lawmakers are dealing with important state business during special sessions, they shouldn’t be distracted by campaign fundraising or feel pressure from donors.
For conservatives who believe in following the rule of law and keeping government accountable, this situation raises serious questions. If our top law enforcement official can’t follow basic campaign finance rules, what message does that send? The Attorney General is supposed to enforce the law, not bend it when convenient.
In a statement, Chairwoman Dogulass said:
“As Nevada’s top law enforcement official, our attorney general should be held to the highest possible ethical standard. Unfortunately, Aaron Ford has failed to do so, making fundraising appeals in a blackout period, blatantly violating Nevada election laws. This alarming breach of conduct raises serious questions for Ford and his campaign about their practices, and he must be held accountable.”
Ford’s Political Ambitions
Ford announced his campaign for Governor earlier this year and has been actively fundraising for what’s expected to be a competitive race. His campaign email mentioned that polls show the race “statistically tied” and that The Cook Political Report calls it a “Toss Up.”
The timing is particularly awkward since Ford’s campaign email specifically mentioned the upcoming “fundraising blackout” while apparently continuing to solicit donations after it had already begun.
What’s Next
The Secretary of State’s office will now review the complaint and determine whether any violations occurred. If they find Ford broke the law, he could face penalties. More importantly for voters, it could affect his credibility as he runs for the state’s highest office.
This isn’t just about technical violations or campaign finance minutiae. It’s about whether our elected officials play by the same rules they expect everyone else to follow. When someone running to be Governor appears to violate laws designed to keep politics out of official government business, voters deserve answers.
Taking Action
Concerned citizens can contact the Secretary of State’s office to follow up on this complaint. And of course, remember this situation when it comes time to vote – accountability starts at the ballot box.
The Attorney General’s campaign hasn’t yet responded to requests for comment about the complaint.
Read the full complaint here: AG Ford Violation Report to SOS
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