The November race for Nevada governor is now set, with Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford set to take on incumbent Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, CNN’s Decision Desk projects.
Ford defeated his primary challenger, Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill. He has made affordability a cornerstone of his message to voters, highlighting his background of growing up in a working-class family and relying on programs like food stamps.
Ford’s platform focused on bringing down the cost of housing, healthcare and energy, accusing Lombardo of not doing enough and seeking to tie him to President Donald Trump.
“Well, let’s be clear, Joe Lombardo has had four years almost right now to address these issues,” Ford told CNN affiliate KTVN. “Task forces aren’t going to get the job done. What you need is, is bold action.”
Lombardo, the former Clark County Sheriff who is vying for a second term as governor, has focused on his economic achievements, highlighting ways he has brought jobs to the state and made Nevada more “business friendly.”
During his 2022 run for governor in the battleground state, Lombardo won the support of both the Republican establishment and Trump, though at times, he sought to distance himself from Trump as he looked to win over moderate and independent voters. The president again endorsed Lombardo last year.
Lombardo is also touting his deployment of the Nevada National Guard last year assisting US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and his experience in law enforcement cracking down on crime.
“As the only candidate in this race to have put bad guys behind bars or deported violent criminals, Joe is opposed to sanctuary cities and will continue to do everything possible to keep us safe, and he isn’t afraid to take on the left-wing advocates constantly trying to make that more difficult,” his website says.
