You know things are going well when your governor is more popular than both of your state’s U.S. senators. That’s exactly what’s happening in Nevada right now.
Governor Joe Lombardo just hit a +21% net approval rating in the latest Morning Consult poll. With 53% approval and only 32% disapproval, he’s crushing it compared to Nevada’s senators who are stuck in Washington gridlock.
Better Nevada PAC put it perfectly: “net approval at +21%!”
That’s not just good. That’s exceptional in today’s political climate.
Why This Matters for Limited Government Conservatives
Here’s what makes Lombardo’s success story so important for conservatives. He’s proving you can win big by doing conservative things well, not by making noise on social media.
Lombardo saw an 8 percentage point jump in approval by focusing on what matters: safer schools, smarter spending, and getting government out of people’s way. He’s not trying to be the next viral politician. He’s just governing.
John Burke from Better Nevada PAC nailed it:
“Nevadans overwhelmingly approve of Governor Lombardo because he is committed to making life better for families from all walks of life.”
No fancy slogans. No Twitter wars. Just results.
According to the latest poll by @MorningConsult, Governor @JoeLombardoNV is the most popular statewide leader in Nevada!
With big wins this year on housing, school choice, and other key challenges facing our state, our Governor is getting results and has the support of Nevadans…
— Nevada War Room – Better NV PAC (@BetterNevadaPAC) July 17, 2025
The Numbers Tell the Story
Let’s talk facts. The national average net approval for governors is 22.7%, so Lombardo at +21% is right there with the best in America. But here’s the kicker – he’s doing this in a purple state that Democrats controlled for years.
Lombardo has built a war chest of over $5.5 million while his likely Democratic opponent has only about $440,000. Money follows success, and the smart money is betting on conservative governance.
Meanwhile, only one governor in America – Iowa’s Kim Reynolds – has approval ratings lower than disapproval ratings. Being a governor usually means people like you, but Lombardo is doing better than most.
What He’s Actually Doing Right
Lombardo’s playbook is simple: focus on kitchen table issues that actually matter to families.
School safety? Check. 71% of Nevadans support his school safety proposal.
Economic growth? Check. Nevada’s economy is booming under his watch.
Fiscal responsibility? Check. He’s building up the state’s rainy-day fund instead of blowing money on pet projects.
This year alone, he vetoed 87 bills – showing he’s not afraid to say no to bad ideas. That’s exactly what conservatives want: a governor who understands that sometimes the best thing government can do is nothing.
The Opposition Is Scrambling
Democrats are clearly worried. Nevada Democratic Party Executive Director Hilary Barrett claims Lombardo is “taking our state backward,” but the poll numbers tell a different story.
When your main criticism is that someone is “taking the state backward” to things like safer schools and balanced budgets, you’re basically admitting you’ve got nothing.
Former Governor Steve Sisolak is even considering a comeback run, despite losing to Lombardo by 15,000 votes in 2022. That’s desperation, not confidence.
The 2026 Battle Ahead
The Cook Political Report rates the 2026 governor’s race as a tossup. But tossups can be won, and Lombardo has all the advantages right now.
He’s the only Republican incumbent governor in a tossup race nationwide. That means all eyes will be on Nevada to see if conservative governance can hold in a competitive state.
The biggest challenge? How President Trump’s approval affects the race. But if Lombardo keeps delivering results while staying above the partisan fray, he can win regardless.
What Conservatives Need to Do
First, don’t get overconfident. Good poll numbers don’t guarantee electoral victory. Elections are won by votes, not surveys.
Second, support the Lombardo model nationwide. Find candidates who focus on governing, not grandstanding. Who talk about solutions, not slogans.
Third, pay attention to Nevada. If conservatives can hold a purple state like Nevada with smart governance, they can win anywhere.
Lombardo proves that limited government conservatism isn’t just good policy—it’s good politics. When you focus on making people’s lives better instead of making headlines, voters notice.
That +21% approval rating isn’t an accident. It’s what happens when conservative principles meet competent execution.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
