Key facts
- Joe Lombardo won the Republican nomination for Nevada governor.
- Aaron Ford won the Democratic nomination for Nevada governor.
- The race between Lombardo and Ford is considered a "toss up."
- Lombardo is endorsed by President Donald Trump.
- Lombardo previously unseated the Democratic governor in 2023.
Republican Joe Lombardo and Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford have secured their party nominations and will face off in Nevada's gubernatorial election this fall. Lombardo, a former sheriff endorsed by President Donald Trump, won the GOP primary in a landslide, while Ford secured a significant lead in the Democratic primary.
The race is expected to be highly competitive, with the Cook Political Report classifying the seat as a "toss up." Nevada Democrats are aiming to regain the governor's office after Lombardo unseated the previous Democratic governor, Steve Sisolak, in 2023.
Recent voter registration data indicates a shift in the state, with Democrats losing over 60,000 registered voters since 2021 and the Republican party gaining approximately 20,000. Election officials reported higher-than-anticipated voter turnout in some areas, with efforts like "Vote Parties" in Las Vegas contributing to engagement.
However, some Republican voters in Nye County expressed reservations about Lombardo's support for data center expansion, citing concerns about its impact on rural communities and wildlife, such as the Bureau of Land Management's removal of wild horses.