Lombardo’s Huge Cash Advantage in Governor’s Race

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While filing for state constitutional offices doesn’t begin until March 2, the matchups for top races are nearly established and fundraising efforts are well underway.

GOVERNOR: Nevada’s first campaign finance reports in 2026 show incumbent Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo having a commanding fundraising lead in the governor’s race.

On the January 15 filing deadline, Lombardo reported more than $9 million in the bank. In addition, two political action committees associated with him —Nevada Way and Better Nevada PACs– also have a combined $5.9 million in cash-on-hand.

That gives Lombardo a war chest of $15 million entering this election year–a record-breaking amount for a Nevada gubernatorial candidate at this election stage.

Lombardo has more than a sevenfold cash advantage over his best-funded challenger, Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford who starts the year with $2 million. Ford reported $1.54 million cash-on-hand, and an affiliated PAC raised an additional $470,000.

Ford’s Democratic primary opponent, Washoe County Commission Chair Alexis Hill, posted fundraising totals that lagged far behind Lombardo and Ford. Hill only entered the race in September and has $58,000 in cash.

ATTORNEY GENERAL: Four candidates have announced their intentions to succeed Ford as Nevada Attorney General: two Democrats, Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Treasurer Zach Conine, and two Republicans, Douglas County Commissioner Danny Tarkanian and former Cannabis Compliance Board Chair Adriana Guzman Fralick.

Cannizzaro reported having $815,000 in cash and her two PACs also have $50,000.

Conine’s campaign has $657,000 cash on hand and he has an additional $1 million via his political action committee funded by Blockchains founder and CEO Jeffrey Berns.

In 2021, Berns made headlines in Nevada by proposing “Innovation Zones” to allow companies to form their own municipal government and build a city run on cryptocurrency. He was a major donor and influencer of former Gov. Steve Sisolak and major donor to Conine’s PAC in past election cycles.

On the Republican side, Tarkanian reported having $340,000 at year end. Guzman Fralick has $175,000 in cash on hand heading into the June primary.

In December, Lombardo publicly endorsed Guzman Fralick, prompting Tarkanian to accuse “the deep-state consulting class” of recruiting “a candidate they could control.”

Tarkanian has mounted eight unsuccessful campaigns for public office.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony, who is running for a second term, reported having $232,000 going into the new year. His Democratic challenger, state Assembly Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui reported $225,000. A PAC affiliated with Jauregui raised an additional $61,000.

In the lieutenant governor’s office, Anthony formed a “Task Force to Protect Women in Sports” and he backs a proposed constitutional amendment targeting transgender athletes.

Jauregui championed a massive expansion of Nevada’s film tax credit program that failed in both the 2025 regular and special legislative sessions.

TREASURER: With Conine running for attorney general, the Nevada State Treasurer is an open race.

Democratic Assemblymember Joe Dalia and Republican Drew Johnson, a policy analyst, are seeking the office.

Dalia, who is serving his first term in the state Assembly, reports having $170,000 on hand. Johnson, who ran close races for Clark County Commissioner in 2022 and Congress in 2024, reported having $47,500.

SECRETARY OF STATE: Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar is the only incumbent Democrat running for reelection in a statewide race. Aguilar reported having $543,000 for his reelection campaign in 2026.

Former Assemblymember (1999-2007) and perennial Republican candidate Sharron Angle, now 76, intends to challenge Aguilar. Angle reported $4,600 cash on hand.

CONTROLLER: Nevada State Controller Andy Mathews, a Republican, started the new year with $254,000 banked. The only announced Democrat, high school teacher Michael MacDougall, reported having $20,300.

The six statewide races will be decided by a nearly evenly split electorate: registered Republicans exceeded Democrats by 3,135 voters at year end, with registered Non-partisans the largest voting bloc (37.2%).

The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views.