A critic in the Nevada Independent recently claimed Governor Joe Lombardo is “retreating from leadership” and “backpedaling” on LGBTQ issues.
Their opinion piece, written by André C. Wade, paints Lombardo as caving to “extremist rhetoric.”
But when you actually look at the facts, the governor’s record tells a different story.
Instead of following political trends, Lombardo has been consistent: he signs good bills that are clear and workable, and he vetoes bills that are sloppy, vague, or unnecessary.
That’s not anti-anyone. That’s just responsible governing.
Claim 1: Lombardo vetoed LGBTQ bills because of “political convenience.”
The Facts: Lombardo has signed several pro-LGBTQ bills during his time as governor.
For example, in 2023 he signed laws that banned insurance companies from discriminating against transgender people and that improved safety protections for transgender inmates in state prisons.
At the same time, he vetoed bills with wording problems or unclear consequences.
His veto of Senate Bill 171 in 2025, which was meant to shield Nevada providers of gender-affirming care, pointed out that phrases like “medically necessary” were too vague and could cause legal fights.
In his veto message, he said the language wouldn’t stand up in court.
Bottom line: He wasn’t flipping sides. He was doing what he’s always done – making sure the laws Nevada passes are clear, constitutional, and workable.
Claim 2: Lombardo “moved the goalposts” by vetoing a revised shield law.
The Facts: Critics say Lombardo just made up new excuses after lawmakers fixed his earlier objections.
But the revised bill (SB171) still had problems. He explained that it raised fresh legal concerns and could even clash with Nevada’s own jurisdiction limits.
From a conservative view, this is exactly the governor’s job: making sure Nevada doesn’t pass feel-good laws that can’t survive a court challenge.
And remember, Nevada law already allows gender-affirming care. The shield law was more about politics than practical need.
Claim 3: His veto left a “dangerous gap” in health coverage protections.
The Facts: Wade claimed Lombardo’s veto of a nondiscrimination bill for Nevada Health Link puts people at risk.
But the governor pointed out that protections already exist under state law and federal law, like the Affordable Care Act.
Adding duplicate laws doesn’t make people safer. It just makes government more complicated.
Unless critics can show real cases where Nevadans lost coverage because of this supposed “gap,” this argument is just speculation.
Claim 4: His veto of jail protections was about “political optics.”
The Facts: Lombardo signed protections for transgender inmates in state prisons back in 2023. So why veto a similar bill for local jails in 2025?
Likely because local jails are run differently, with fewer resources, and the bill didn’t explain how to handle the costs or logistics.
Again, this is not about politics. It’s about making sure laws actually work in practice.
Claim 5: His veto of the library bill was “censorship.”
The Facts: Assembly Bill 416 was framed as protecting free speech and preventing book bans.
But Lombardo’s veto letter said the language was “vague and overly broad” and could undercut the role of parents and local school boards.
Conservatives believe parents should have a say in what their kids are exposed to in taxpayer-funded schools.
The veto was about keeping decision-making local, not banning books.
The Bigger Picture
Governor Lombardo has vetoed more bills than any Nevada governor in history – 87 in 2025 alone.
Critics see that as obstruction. Conservatives see it as a check on one-party control of the Legislature.
When you look at his record, Lombardo has signed LGBTQ-friendly laws when they are clear and necessary, and he has vetoed others that were vague, redundant, or legally shaky.
That’s not backpedaling. That’s consistent leadership.
The Nevada Independent’s opinion piece tries to fit Lombardo into a national narrative about Republican “anti-LGBTQ” politics.
But Nevada isn’t Florida or Texas. The facts show Lombardo is taking a Nevada-first approach, weighing each bill on its own merits, not chasing headlines or bowing to pressure.
Fact check conclusion: The claim that Gov. Lombardo is “retreating” or acting out of “political convenience” doesn’t hold up. His record shows a steady hand, not a political flip-flop.
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.
