Nevada just crossed a big number. Governor Joe Lombardo's administration says it has now created more than 100,000 new jobs since he took office.
What Actually Happened
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported that the state added jobs at a strong clip through June, with total nonfarm employment reaching 1,614,100. That is up 2.3 percent over the past year. Unemployment dipped to 5.1 percent.
Nevada has now led the nation in job growth for 11 straight months.
The Lombardo campaign put it plainly in a statement responding to criticism from Democratic gubernatorial rival Aaron Ford:
“Under Governor Lombardo's leadership, Nevada created more than 100,000 jobs, leveraged $1 billion in investment for new attainable housing, generated $6 billion in historic economic investment, and led the nation in job growth for 11 consecutive months – and we are just getting started.”
That is a mouthful, but the short version is simple. More people are working in Nevada than before, and the state is growing faster than almost anywhere else in the country.
Why This Matters To Conservatives
Here is the thing conservatives have argued for years. Government does not create lasting prosperity by writing checks or running programs. It creates prosperity by getting out of the way. Lower taxes. Fewer regulations. A business climate that says “come here and build something.”
Nevada has no state income tax. It sits next door to California, a state that has spent years pushing employers out with high taxes and heavy rules.
Lombardo's first act as governor was rolling back COVID-era emergency orders. Since then, his team has leaned into cutting the Modified Business Tax rate and courting new industries so the state is not just riding on casinos and tourism anymore.
Today, we have officially surpassed 100k new jobs in Nevada under my administration. From day one, we set out to diversify our economy and create more opportunities for Nevada families.
Proud of these results, but we’re just getting started! pic.twitter.com/5WDAWRJjrl
— Governor Joe Lombardo (@JosephMLombardo) July 16, 2026
Think of it like a garden. You do not grow tomatoes by standing over them yelling instructions. You clear the weeds, give them sun, and get out of the way.
That is basically the Nevada model right now, and the jobs numbers are the tomatoes.
What Critics Are Saying
Not everyone is cheering. Aaron Ford, the Democratic attorney general running against Lombardo for governor, has pushed back hard on the rosy numbers. Ford has argued the statistics do not match what regular Nevadans are feeling.
What Comes Next
Expect this jobs number to become a centerpiece of the governor's race between now and November.
Lombardo will keep pointing to the raw totals and the 11-month streak leading the nation. Ford will keep arguing that headline numbers hide affordability struggles, especially on housing costs.
Nevada's labor force also grew by more than 32,000 people over the past year, which is worth watching. A state can only keep adding jobs if people keep moving here to fill them.
California's labor force actually shrank over the same period. If that pattern holds, Nevada's advantage over blue-state neighbors could keep widening.
What Conservatives Can Do
If you like what limited-government policies are producing in Nevada, the best thing you can do is pay attention past the headlines. Look at what is actually driving growth: low taxes, fewer regulations, and a state that treats employers like partners instead of piggy banks.
Support candidates and policies at the Legislature and Clark County Commission level that protect that formula, especially as fights over data center moratoriums and new business regulations heat up going into 2027.
Numbers like 100,000 jobs do not happen by accident. They happen because someone chose a direction and stuck with it.
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.
