Governor Shows Momentum for 2026
Governor Joe Lombardo is sitting on a mountain of campaign cash that’s turning heads across Nevada. The Republican governor announced Tuesday he’s raised a jaw-dropping $15 million for his re-election campaign, setting a Nevada record that shows conservatives are ready to fight for the Silver State’s future.
The numbers tell a story of real momentum. Lombardo raised $4.28 million in 2025 alone, giving him over $9 million in his campaign account. That’s the highest non-election year total any Nevada governor has ever had at this point in the cycle.
Two political action committees supporting him added another $5.9 million to the pile after raising more than $4.7 million last year.
Lombardo told Fox News Digital:
“I’m grateful for the overwhelming support from Nevadans who share our vision for a stronger, more affordable Nevada.”
His message is hitting home with folks worried about housing costs, keeping communities safe, and stopping the California-style policies that Democrats keep pushing.
Why This Matters for Conservatives
Remember, Lombardo was the only Republican challenger who beat a sitting Democrat governor anywhere in the country back in 2022. He knocked out Steve Sisolak and flipped Nevada from blue to red when everyone said it couldn’t be done.
Now he’s building the strongest financial position any Nevada governor has ever had at this stage.
The timing couldn’t be better. Republicans just took the voter registration lead in Nevada for the first time in years. President Trump carried the state in November, the first Republican to win Nevada since 2004. The political winds are blowing our way, and Lombardo’s war chest shows donors believe we can keep that momentum going.
Compare Lombardo’s fundraising to the Democrats who want his job. Attorney General Aaron Ford, who’s running out of time in his current position due to term limits, has only raised about $537,000 and sits on just $440,000 cash.
That’s less than what Lombardo raises in a few months. Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill is also running for the Democrat nomination, but she’s starting from even further behind.
The National Republican Congressional Committee is also crushing it, outraising Democrats for the first time in a decade. They’ve brought in $20 million more than at this point in 2017, while Democrats are actually raising less money than they did two years ago. That’s the kind of advantage that wins elections.
Democrats Already Playing Dirty
The Nevada Democratic Party is already trying to tie Lombardo to President Trump like that’s supposed to be a bad thing. They’re complaining about “Trump’s reckless policies” while ignoring that Nevada voters just chose Trump over their candidate.
In September, Lombardo warned what would happen if Democrats take back the governor’s mansion.
“I’ll continue to do everything in my power to stop Gavin Newsom from imposing his left-wing agenda on Nevada,” he said at his old high school in North Las Vegas.
“As long as I’m your governor, I won’t ever accept Californians telling Nevadans what to do.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
The Cook Political Report calls Nevada’s governor race a tossup, but they said the same thing in 2022 and Lombardo won anyway. With his massive fundraising advantage, Republican voter registration gains, and President Trump back in the White House, conservatives have every reason to feel confident about keeping the governor’s office red.
The bottom line is simple. Lombardo’s historic fundraising shows Nevada conservatives are united and ready to win. Democrats are divided, underfunded, and pushing the same failed policies that voters already rejected. The governor’s race won’t be easy, but with this kind of support, conservatives can keep Nevada moving in the right direction.
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.
