Aaron Ford wins Nevada governor race, becoming state's first Black governor

Overview

Updated 5 days ago

Democrat Aaron Ford will be Nevada's next governor after unseating Republican Joe Lombardo. Ford, the state attorney general since 2019, is the first Black governor in Nevada history and the first elected west of the Mississippi River.

Ford says he will not raise taxes to pay for his plans, calling it "a matter of budgeting." He promised bills limiting how many homes corporations can buy, capping prescription drug costs at Medicare-negotiated prices and requiring new data centers to pay for their own power. He takes office in January 2027 with Democrats holding both legislative chambers and a two-thirds supermajority in the Assembly, one seat short of one in the Senate.

Why it matters

Nevada is a battleground, and Ford's win hands Democrats the governor's office and a legislative majority before 2028.

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Key Indicators

First Black governor of Nevada

Ford becomes the first Black governor in the state's history.

50.6%

Trump's 2024 Nevada vote share

Trump carried Nevada in 2024, showing the state's Republican strength before Ford's win.

~40%

Nonpartisan share of Nevada electorate

Nonpartisan voters make up nearly 40% of the electorate, making statewide races unpredictable.

17%

Drop in Canadian visitors to Las Vegas in 2025

Democrats tied the tourism decline to Trump's tariffs during the governor race.

Day 1

Planned affordability emergency

Ford says he will declare a state of emergency over the cost of living on his first day in office.

2/3

Democratic Assembly supermajority

Democrats won two-thirds of the Assembly, enough to raise taxes and override vetoes; they were one seat short in the Senate.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Aaron Ford

Nevada governor-elect; state attorney general

Won the 2026 Nevada governor race and is preparing a day-one affordability emergency

Joe Lombardo

Republican governor of Nevada

Lost re-election bid

Organizations Involved

Nevada Governor's Office

State executive office

Ford takes over in January 2027

The governor's office controls the state executive branch, including budget proposals, vetoes and appointments.

Nevada Attorney General's Office

State legal agency

Ford has led it since 2019

The state's top legal office, which Ford has led since 2019.

Timeline

2019 November 2026

9 events Latest: 6 days ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
Ford details day-one plans in first post-election interview
Latest Interview

Ford told News 3 he would require new data centers to pay for their own power and use clean energy, and said he would work with President Donald Trump where possible.
6 days ago
Ford wins Nevada governor race
Election

The Associated Press projects Aaron Ford defeats Gov. Joe Lombardo, making Ford Nevada's first Black governor.
7 days ago
Ford pledges no new taxes in victory speech
Speech

Speaking at a Teamsters hall in Las Vegas, Ford said Nevada can invest in services without raising taxes and promised to declare an affordability emergency on day one.
7 days ago
Democrats sweep Nevada statewide offices
Election

Democrats flipped three Republican-held statewide seats and held the other three, the Nevada Independent reported.
7 days ago
Democrats win Assembly supermajority
Election

Democrats secured a two-thirds majority in the Assembly and were one seat short in the state Senate, with some legislative races still too close to call, the Nevada Independent reported.
7 days ago
Nevada voters cast ballots
Election

Ford speaks at a Democratic watch party in Las Vegas as votes are counted.
November 3rd, 2026
July 2025
Ford launches governor campaign
Campaign

Ford kicks off his run at a community center in East Las Vegas.
July 28th, 2025
November 2022
Lombardo defeats Sisolak
Election

Republican Joe Lombardo ousts Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak.
November 8th, 2022
2019
Ford takes office as attorney general
Election

Aaron Ford becomes Nevada's attorney general after winning the 2018 election.
2019

Scenarios

Ford is inaugurated as Nevada governor

Likely Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: Associated Press projection and Nevada election certification schedule

Ford's projected win puts him in line to take the oath in January 2027. The transition would make him Nevada's first Black governor.

Nevada pauses new AI data center tax abatements

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Ford campaign platform and AP reporting on his promise

Ford promised to pause new tax abatements for artificial intelligence data centers and oppose projects on federal land. A Democratic Legislature would need to pass a bill, or Ford would need to act through existing authority.

Nevada limits corporate home purchases

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Ford campaign and AP reporting on Lombardo's vetoes

Ford criticized Lombardo for vetoing a bill to limit home purchases by corporate investors. With Democrats holding the Legislature, a similar bill could reach Ford's desk in the 2027 session.

Ford declares an affordability emergency on day one

Likely Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: Ford in his victory speech and in interviews with Nevada Current and News 3

Ford has said repeatedly that his first act as governor will be an emergency declaration aimed at freeing up money for Nevadans, with every cabinet agency tasked to find savings. The declaration itself is within his authority; its effect depends on what agencies do with it.

Nevada ends its right-to-work law

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Ford in his post-election speech

Ford said he wants to be the most pro-union governor and to end what he called the 'farce' of right to work. Repeal would need a bill passed by the Democratic Legislature and signed by Ford in the 2027 session.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

November 2022

Nevada governor race (2022)

Republican Joe Lombardo defeated incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak, making Lombardo the nation's lone GOP candidate to topple a Democratic gubernatorial incumbent that year.

Then

Lombardo took office in 2023 and pursued public safety and education funding.

Now

Nevada's last two governors have failed to win re-election, a pattern Ford's win extends.

Why this matters now

Ford's victory over Lombardo follows the same anti-incumbent pattern in a battleground state.

November 2024