It’s official. Governor Joe Lombardo walked into a Las Vegas government office this week and signed the paperwork to run for a second term.
“Today I am proud to officially file for re-election for governor for the great state of Nevada,” he told supporters and media gathered for the occasion.
No surprise there. Everyone in Carson City knew this was coming. But making it official matters. The clock is now ticking toward November 2026.
Among those showing up to cheer him on was our own Erica Neely, the conservative Republican running for the open Assembly District 9 seat in Las Vegas. Lombardo has already endorsed Neely, calling her:
“a tireless worker committed to bringing important ethics reform and transparency to Carson City.”
Her presence at the filing was a reminder that this race isn’t just about the governor’s office. The whole conservative movement in Nevada has skin in this game.
State GOP chairman Michael McDonald was also present, along with Clark County Central Committee Chairwoman Jill Douglass.
What Lombardo Has to Run On
Lombardo has a real record to talk about. He has presided over a 4% increase in jobs since 2022, added $2 billion to the schools’ budget — the largest investment in state history — raised teacher pay at public and charter schools, restored the Read by Grade 3 program, and added accountability measures to an education reform bill.
For conservatives, the veto record tells the most important story. Lombardo has set the all-time record for vetoes by a Nevada governor, with 162 total — 75 from the 2023 session and 87 from the 2025 session, far surpassing the previous record of 97 held by former Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval across eight years in office.
To some, that sounds like gridlock. To conservatives who believe in limited government, it sounds like exactly what a governor is supposed to do when a Democrat-controlled legislature keeps sending bad bills to his desk.
Lombardo himself said those vetoes happened:
“because they made Nevada less safe, they grew government, raised taxes or misused your hard-earned taxpayer dollars.”
He added:
“I won’t hesitate to say no again, or to be the last line of defense between you and irresponsible politicians.”
That’s the kind of talk that resonates with Nevadans tired of Sacramento-style governance creeping their way.
Lombardo also touted building the state’s emergency fund to a record $1.3 billion.
Why This Race Matters
This is not a sleepy re-election campaign. The Cook Political Report has rated Nevada’s gubernatorial race a toss-up. Attorney General Aaron Ford submitted his own paperwork the same day Lombardo did, surrounded by his own supporters.
The polls show a tight race — but not a dead heat. The most recent survey, by Noble Predictive Insights, puts Lombardo ahead 40% to 37%, with 23% of voters still undecided. The poll surveyed 766 registered voters and carries a margin of error of 3.54%.
“This will be a competitive race, and the polling indicates that Lombardo needs to define Ford before Ford defines himself,” said Mike Noble, founder and CEO of Noble Predictive Insights.
If Lombardo loses, Democrats would control the governor’s mansion and the legislature.
The governor himself warned the crowd:
“If Democrats take back power in Carson City, you know what will happen? Higher taxes. Fewer jobs. Boys in girls sports.”
That’s not a scare tactic. That’s a look at what happened in California.
What You Can Do
The filing period runs through March 13. Candidates up and down the ballot are signing up right now. Pay attention to who is running in your Assembly and Senate district.
Conservatives need a stronger bench in Carson City. Erica Neely’s race for Assembly District 9 is a prime example of where grassroots energy can make a real difference. Volunteer, donate, and talk to your neighbors. Nevada’s future is on the ballot.
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.
