Ford wins Nevada governorship over Lombardo

Aaron Ford defeated incumbent Republican Governor Joe Lombardo in Tuesday’s election, securing the governor’s office for the Democrats. The Associated Press projected Ford as the winner early Wednesday morning. He takes office in January as Nevada’s 32nd governor.

Ford, the current Democratic attorney general, held a victory speech at MEET Las Vegas on Wednesday. He acknowledged a lead of approximately 53,000 votes before the final results were certified. Ford stated that he could feel the momentum shifting before the official projection. He noted that the results kept pulling him off his prepared remarks. He told the crowd that he could not concentrate on his speech because the news was so overwhelming.

The campaign focused heavily on the cost of living in the state. Ford tied the state’s economic struggles to Lombardo’s administration. He promised to sign specific bills within his first 30 days. These proposals include a cap on drug prices, universal free school meals, and limits on corporate homebuying. Lombardo had previously vetoed legislation addressing these issues during his term.

Democrats framed the race as a referendum on national economic policies. President Donald Trump, who endorsed Lombardo, carried Nevada by about three points in the 2024 presidential election. The party argued that federal tariffs hurt tourism and raised prices. They also cited a war with Iran as a cause for gas prices exceeding $5 a gallon in Nevada.

Lombardo served a single term as governor. Ford will succeed him after winning a decisive victory. In 2019, Ford became Nevada’s first Black attorney general. His election as governor makes him the first Black person elected to that office west of the Mississippi River.

The statewide result was part of a broader Democratic performance in the midterm elections. Democrats gained control of both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. In Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Teresa Benitez-Thompson is leading Republican David Flippo. This district has elected a Republican in every election since its creation. Flippo, who was endorsed by Trump, moved to the open seat in Northern Nevada after retiring Representative Mark Amodei.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, praised Ford’s campaign. He said Ford won by staying focused on driving down costs for working families. Beshear described Ford as a champion who would fight daily to lower costs and make health care more affordable.

Ellie Lozano, a voter from California who moved to Nevada, supported Ford due to the economy. She said she usually votes Republican but chose Ford this year. She noted that she had not heard much from Lombardo about issues she cared about. She expressed concern that the cost of living in Nevada had risen to match California.

Tiffiany Howard, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, analyzed the election outcome. She cautioned against viewing the victory solely as a moment of historical change. She stated that many voters were reacting against Lombardo rather than embracing Ford. Howard said economics drives politics more than any other factor. She noted that voters can put aside ideological differences when facing high inflation and gas prices.

Howard observed that the election of multiple Black governors this year reflects a shifting voter base. She said the alignment includes college-educated white women, suburban white women, young students, and African Americans. She described Ford’s campaign as a deracialized strategy that deprioritized racial identity politics. She said this tactic is similar to those used by former President Barack Obama and Douglas Wilder. Howard warned that Ford will need to build enthusiasm throughout his term since he can no longer blame a Republican governor for economic issues.

Ford is one of five Black candidates elected governor this year. The others are Wes Moore in Maryland, Byron Donalds in Florida, Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, and David Crowley in Wisconsin. Before 2026, only three Black Americans had been elected governor in the United States. The Legislature is scheduled to convene on February 1, where Democrats will control both chambers and the governor's office.