Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo Kicks Off 2026 Reelection Campaign
Nevada’s Republican Governor, Joe Lombardo, announced his reelection campaign for 2026 on Monday, targeting crucial battleground areas in the west. Lombardo made history in 2022 by defeating the incumbent Republican governor, making Nevada the only state to switch from blue to red that year.
A former sheriff in Las Vegas, Lombardo is gearing up for a challenging reelection bid. Many view him as one of the most vulnerable GOP governors in the country. He expressed concerns about the implications of Democrats regaining control, specifically warning against what he termed a “leftist agenda” influenced by California’s Democratic leadership.
“I will do everything possible to stop Gavin Newsom from imposing his agenda on Nevada,” Lombardo stated. He added, “As long as I’m your governor, I won’t dictate to Nevadan what to do or penalize them for their choices.” Speaking at Rancho High School in North Las Vegas, he reflected on his past campaign achievements while emphasizing “unfinished business” vital for securing Nevada’s future.
During his tenure, Lombardo noted he had successfully reduced over 600 regulations and highlighted a 4% employment growth since 2022. Additionally, he touted the largest education investment in the state’s history, which includes a $130 million allocation for legislation and salary increases for law enforcement, along with efforts to improve middle-class housing.
The Association of Democratic Governors labeled Lombardo as “the most vulnerable Republican governor in America,” criticizing his record ahead of his announcement and calling it a “record of failure.” They argued that he has failed to adequately support Nevada’s families and small businesses.
Nevada Democrats have drawn connections between Lombardo and former President Donald Trump, accusing him of aligning with Trump’s controversial policies. Furthermore, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill have both declared their candidacies for the Democratic nomination for governor.
