Latest news with #JoeLombardo
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nevada governor's race shaping up as a marquee battle in a state carried by Trump
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Setting the stage for what is expected to be a highly competitive fight for Nevada governor, Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford announced Monday he will challenge Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo next year. Ford represents the highest-profile Democrat to enter the still-emerging contest in a battleground state carried by President Donald Trump in 2024. In the election, Trump made gains among younger voters, voters without a college degree and Black and Hispanic men. 'Nevadans are suffering in an economy that is rigged against those trying their hardest to stay afloat,' Ford said in a statement. "I will work to lower the crushing cost of housing and prescription drugs, strengthen our public schools and ensure every community in Nevada is safe.' The Better Nevada PAC — which supports Lombardo — called Ford a 'radical' who has pushed a 'dangerous woke agenda' on Nevada families. Even with the primary election nearly a year away, the race is widely seen as a toss-up, in part because Nevada is narrowly divided between Democrats and Republicans. As in many parts of the country, residents continue to be stressed by the cost of living and a lack of affordable housing. The race will unfold during an unsettled time nationally, with Democrats still trying to recast their brand after 2024 losses in Congress and the White House. Meanwhile, recent polling found only about one-quarter of U.S. adults say that President Donald Trump's policies have helped them since he took office. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found underwhelming marks for the president on key issues, including the economy, immigration, government spending and health care. Lombardo, who is expected to run for reelection, would come to the race with the advantages of incumbency. Not surprisingly in a swing state, he has sought to fashion a generally middle-ground Republican reputation at a time when Americans are deeply divided by partisan politics. Last month, Lombardo unexpectedly vetoed a bill that would have required voters to show a photo ID at the polls — a conservative priority across the country and something that has long been on the governor's legislative wish list. If elected, Ford would be Nevada's first Black governor.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Nevada governor's race shaping up as a marquee battle in a state carried by Trump
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Setting the stage for what is expected to be a highly competitive fight for Nevada governor, Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford announced Monday he will challenge Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo next year. Ford represents the highest-profile Democrat to enter the still-emerging contest in a battleground state carried by President Donald Trump in 2024. In the election, Trump made gains among younger voters, voters without a college degree and Black and Hispanic men. 'Nevadans are suffering in an economy that is rigged against those trying their hardest to stay afloat,' Ford said in a statement. 'I will work to lower the crushing cost of housing and prescription drugs, strengthen our public schools and ensure every community in Nevada is safe.' The Better Nevada PAC — which supports Lombardo — called Ford a 'radical' who has pushed a 'dangerous woke agenda' on Nevada families. Even with the primary election nearly a year away, the race is widely seen as a toss-up, in part because Nevada is narrowly divided between Democrats and Republicans. As in many parts of the country, residents continue to be stressed by the cost of living and a lack of affordable housing. The race will unfold during an unsettled time nationally, with Democrats still trying to recast their brand after 2024 losses in Congress and the White House. Meanwhile, recent polling found only about one-quarter of U.S. adults say that President Donald Trump's policies have helped them since he took office. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found underwhelming marks for the president on key issues, including the economy, immigration, government spending and health care. Lombardo, who is expected to run for reelection, would come to the race with the advantages of incumbency. Not surprisingly in a swing state, he has sought to fashion a generally middle-ground Republican reputation at a time when Americans are deeply divided by partisan politics. Last month, Lombardo unexpectedly vetoed a bill that would have required voters to show a photo ID at the polls — a conservative priority across the country and something that has long been on the governor's legislative wish list. If elected, Ford would be Nevada's first Black governor.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Nevada governor's race shaping up as a marquee battle in a state carried by Trump
LAS VEGAS — Setting the stage for what is expected to be a highly competitive fight for Nevada governor, Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford announced Monday he will challenge Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo next year. Ford represents the highest-profile Democrat to enter the still-emerging contest in a battleground state carried by President Donald Trump in 2024. In the election, Trump made gains among younger voters, voters without a college degree and Black and Hispanic men.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nevada attorney general launches bid to unseat Lombardo
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) is launching a bid to unseat Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) next year as Democrats look to flip the governor's mansion in the pivotal swing state. 'I'm running for Governor because Nevadans need a fighter in their corner,' Ford said in a statement released on Monday. 'I will work to lower the crushing cost of housing and prescription drugs, strengthen our public schools, and ensure every community in Nevada is safe.' Ford touted his background as a former math teacher who also served as majority leader of the state Senate. He argued that under the GOP governor, 'Nevadans are suffering in an economy that is rigged against those trying their hardest to stay afloat' and hit him over issues like the state's high unemployment rate and homelessness. Ford is not the only Democrat interested in taking on Lombardo; Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill is also eyeing a run on the Democratic side. Lombardo, a former Clark County sheriff, dealt Democrats a blow in 2022 when he defeated first-term Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) by more than a point. His win was a bright spot for Republicans given he was the only GOP candidate to flip a Democratic governor's spot in what was a largely disappointing election year for the party. Nevada, of course, is no stranger to tight races and split-ticket voting. President Trump carried the state against former Vice President Harris by 3 points in November while Sen. Jacky Rosen defeated Republican candidate Sam Brown by close to 2 points. The Silver State, along with Georgia, are seen as Democrats' best opportunities to flip governors' mansions next year. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the governor's seat in Nevada and Georgia both as toss-ups. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Nevada Democrats Spot an Opportunity in a Vulnerable G.O.P. Governor
After months of anticipation, the 2026 race for Nevada governor came into focus on Monday, with the favorite for the Democratic nomination making his campaign official as he seeks to take down the Republican incumbent. The race, one of the most prominent in the country next year in a critical battleground state, is heating up. In addition to the parties' headliners, an unlikely challenger is already mounting a surprising bid. And a former governor may yet attempt a comeback. The flurry of activity is all part of a growing effort among Democrats to take down one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents: Gov. Joe Lombardo, who is running for re-election in a swing state that has not hesitated to oust its sitting officeholders in recent years. Mr. Lombardo, the former sheriff of Clark County, home to Las Vegas, will nevertheless be tough to defeat. He has cultivated a reputation as a relatively moderate Republican focused on policy while avoiding much of the flamethrowing partisanship that has characterized G.O.P. politics in the Trump era. Democrats' best shot is likely to be Aaron Ford, the state attorney general who announced his entrance into the Democratic primary on Monday after signaling his intention to run for months. Mr. Ford is widely viewed as the favorite to win the nomination, though he will have company in the primary next June. Mr. Ford, 53, would be Nevada's first Black governor as Democrats strain to regain the trust of minority voters who voted for President Trump last year. Among working-class voters, Mr. Ford's blue-collar background could be an asset. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
