Nevada’s Top Cop Enters Race, But Conservatives Have Good Reasons to Stick with Joe
Well, it’s official now. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford formally announced Monday morning that he’s running for governor. The Democrat wants to unseat Republican Joe Lombardo in what’s shaping up to be one of the most important gubernatorial races in 2026.
Ford made his announcement on social media and at a launch event, telling supporters:
“I’m running for governor because Nevadans need a fighter in their corner. I will work to lower the crushing cost of housing and prescription drugs, strengthen our public schools, and ensure every community in Nevada is safe”.
I’m a proud father, husband, former public school math teacher, and Nevada Attorney General.
My name is Aaron Ford, and I’m running for Governor to build a Nevada where every family in every neighborhood can get ahead. pic.twitter.com/ZfwJbO4Blb
— Aaron D. Ford (@AaronDFordNV) July 28, 2025
But here’s the thing – we already have a fighter in our corner. His name is Joe Lombardo.
Setting the Record Straight on Ford’s Claims
Ford’s launch video shows he’s already playing fast and loose with the facts. Let’s look at what he actually said and why it doesn’t add up.
“Lombardo said Nevadans ‘need to feel a little pain,'” Ford claims in his video.
“Well, we’re feeling it. Our unemployment rate is the highest in the nation. Our classrooms are among the most crowded and worst funded. Our health care costs are rising faster here than anywhere in the nation. And there’s no real plan to fix any of it.”
This is classic political spin. Lombardo’s comment about feeling “a little pain” was specifically about supporting Trump’s tariffs in the short term to bring jobs back to America long-term.
Lombardo said in the actual interview:
“I think we maybe need to feel a little pain in the short term and hopefully in the long-term benefit for us. It ends up being what I talked about earlier: jobs, jobs, jobs,”
Ford took this completely out of context to make it sound like Lombardo wants Nevadans to suffer. That’s dishonest campaigning at its worst.
And Ford’s other claims? Many of Nevada’s problems existed long before Lombardo took office. They’re the result of years of Democratic policies that Ford supported when he was in the state legislature. Ford was literally part of the problem as a Democratic leader in the Senate.
Ford also said he wants to “lower the crushing cost of housing and prescription drugs, strengthen our public schools, and ensure every community in Nevada is safe.” Sounds nice, but how? More government programs? Higher taxes? Bigger bureaucracy?
Ford doesn’t explain because the liberal playbook is always the same – throw taxpayer money at problems instead of fixing the root causes.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
This race isn’t just about Nevada. It’s about whether we keep moving toward limited government or slide back into the big-government policies that hurt working families. Lombardo was the only GOP candidate to flip a Democratic governorship in 2022, and that victory sent a clear message that Nevadans want common-sense conservative leadership.
Think about what Lombardo has already done. In 2023, Lombardo rejected 75 bills passed by the Legislature, setting a new legislative record. This session, he shattered that record with 87 vetoes. That’s not obstruction, that’s a governor doing his job to protect taxpayers from government overreach.
Ford talks about being a “fighter,” but his track record shows he fights for bigger government, not smaller bills. As attorney general, he’s pushed for more regulations and expanded state power. That’s the opposite of what conservatives believe government should do.
The Stakes Are High
The Cook Political Report rates this governor’s race as a toss-up, which means every vote will count. Ford isn’t some unknown challenger either. He’s a well-known statewide official with name recognition across Nevada.
Ford has some political skills. He won re-election as attorney general in 2022 by the largest victory margin for a statewide Democratic incumbent in Nevada history. But winning as attorney general is different from convincing voters you should run the entire state.
The numbers tell a story too. Lombardo has a huge war chest, exceeding $5.5 million on hand at year end, while Ford is far behind with about $440,000 cash on hand. Money isn’t everything in politics, but it shows which candidate has broader support.
What the Critics Are Saying
Ford’s announcement didn’t surprise anyone who’s been paying attention. He’s been having “informal conversations with people across the state” about running for months.
But Ford faces some challenges. During his college years between 1991 and 1994, Ford was arrested (but not convicted) four times on misdemeanor charges, including public intoxication and theft-related charges. Ford has called these “youthful mistakes,” but voters will decide if they want someone with that background as governor.
Looking Ahead
Ford won’t be alone in the Democratic primary. Washoe County Commission Chair Alexis Hill also plans to run, and former Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak might jump in too. A messy Democratic primary could help Lombardo by forcing Ford to spend money and move further left to win over primary voters.
Recent polling shows Lombardo maintaining strong numbers, with about half of Nevada voters having a favorable view of the governor. That’s solid ground for an incumbent to stand on.
What Conservatives Should Do
The choice is clear. We can stick with Joe Lombardo, who’s proven he’ll stand up to the liberal legislature and protect taxpayers. Or we can roll the dice on Aaron Ford, who wants to expand government power and spending.
Ford may be officially in the race now, but that doesn’t mean he has to win. Nevada conservatives have a proven leader in Joe Lombardo. Let’s make sure he gets four more years to finish the job.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
