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

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Nevada voters chose Democrat Aaron Ford as governor, unseating Republican Joe Lombardo. Ford, the state attorney general since 2019, becomes Nevada's first Black governor.

With Democrats already holding both legislative chambers, Ford will enter office with his party in control of the governorship and Legislature. He campaigned on affordability, housing costs and pausing tax breaks for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

Why it matters

Nevada is a battleground state, and Ford's win gives Democrats a governor's office and a platform before the 2028 presidential race.

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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.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Aaron Ford

Nevada attorney general and governor-elect

Won the 2026 Nevada governor race

Joe Lombardo

Republican governor of Nevada

Lost re-election bid

Organizations Involved

Nevada Governor's Office

State executive office

Ford will take 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

5 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
Ford wins Nevada governor race
Today Election

The Associated Press projects Aaron Ford defeats Gov. Joe Lombardo, making Ford Nevada's first Black governor.
Today
Nevada voters cast ballots
Election

Ford speaks at a Democratic watch party in Las Vegas as votes are counted.
Yesterday
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.

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