Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has found himself in the crosshairs of the state’s Democratic Party, which has painted a grim picture of his performance after two years in office.
But, as is often the case in politics, the truth isn’t as simple as the talking points. Here’s a closer look at the claims and the reality behind them.
Democrats recently claimed that Nevada has the “highest unemployment in the nation.”
While it’s true that Nevada’s unemployment rate sits at 5.7%, as Lombardo himself acknowledged in his 2025 State of the State address, this doesn’t tell the whole story.
Nevada’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism and hospitality, industries that took a brutal hit during the pandemic. The state once faced an eye-popping 30% unemployment rate under the previous Democratic administration’s strict lockdowns.
In contrast, Lombardo’s leadership has seen Nevada’s labor force grow to its largest size ever, adding around 30,000 workers since he took office. Employment is up 4.3%, showing a state on the mend, not on the ropes.
Then there’s the accusation that “job growth is lagging the rest of the country.”
This claim doesn’t quite hold water. Nevada has consistently been a national leader in job growth, and Lombardo has continued that trend.
His Economic Development Policy Reform Act helped attract businesses to the state, resulting in over 6,300 new jobs and $5 billion in economic development during his first year alone.
His administration’s “open for business” approach has been more than just a catchy slogan- it’s delivered real results.
Critics also blame Lombardo for rising costs of housing, prescription drugs, and school meals. These issues, however, aren’t solely within a governor’s control.
Housing prices are skyrocketing across the country, driven by inflation, supply chain disruptions, and restrictive federal land policies. With the federal government owning more than 80% of Nevada’s land, development is difficult.
Lombardo’s Nevada Attainable Housing Act is a billion-dollar effort to increase affordable housing and speed up the permitting process.
As for prescription drugs, Democrats slammed Lombardo for vetoing a 2023 bill (AB 250) that would have capped drug prices. Lombardo argued that such caps could have backfired, reducing access to medications.
Meanwhile, federal price negotiations through Medicare are already tackling the issue.
When it comes to school meals, Lombardo’s veto of a $43 million universal free meals program wasn’t about denying kids food. Instead, it was a push for fiscal responsibility and a return to pre-pandemic norms.
Importantly, eligible students can still get free or reduced-cost meals through established programs like the Community Eligibility Provision.
Lombardo’s overall record includes a $12.7 billion budget without tax increases, higher teacher pay, and a record $1.3 billion rainy-day fund.
While no administration is perfect, it’s clear that under Lombardo, Nevada is moving forward. The Democrats’ narrative, full of selective statistics and dramatic headlines, just doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
Ultimately, the picture painted by Nevada’s Democrats is a bit like looking at a funhouse mirror – distorted and designed to make everything look as bad as possible.
But a closer look shows a governor who is guiding the state through tough times with steady hands and sound policies.
As always, the truth lies somewhere in between the political spin and the real story, but when it comes to Nevada’s economy, the numbers speak for themselves – and they show progress.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
