Nevada’s Gubernatorial Race: Ford vs. Lombardo

In Nevada, the upcoming gubernatorial election is anticipated to be one of the nation’s most closely followed races. The Associated Press has reported that Democratic voters in the state have chosen two-time state Attorney General Aaron Ford to challenge the current Republican Governor, Joe Lombardo.

Ford, who became the state’s Attorney General in 2018, triumphed over five other Democrats to win the nomination. Throughout his primary campaign, he targeted Lombardo by highlighting rising costs of essential items like groceries, gas, housing, and healthcare, attributing these issues to the governor’s first term. Ford has also emphasized Lombardo’s connection to former President Trump, whose popularity has waned since his narrow victory in the state two years ago. This sets a challenging stage for Lombardo in the upcoming election.

The Cook Political Report has classified the race as a toss-up, reflecting its unpredictability. Lombardo himself faced six primary challengers but secured a decisive victory. His success can be attributed in part to his achievements in the state legislature, even with Democratic majorities in both chambers. Key accomplishments include a bipartisan bill to increase school district accountability, tightening of criminal justice reforms following George Floyd’s death, and initiatives to make housing more affordable. Additionally, he played a role in securing public financing for a new stadium for Major League Baseball’s A’s, previously based in Oakland.

As the general election approaches, Lombardo has amassed a significant campaign fund. Despite this, financial resources alone are insufficient to guarantee victory in Nevada. Effective messaging and voter engagement are crucial, areas where Ford may excel. The influential Culinary Union, representing hospitality workers across the state, recently endorsed Ford. With approximately 60,000 members in Nevada, the union has become a formidable force in voter turnout, implementing polling sites in casinos and resorts catering to hospitality workers.