Democrat Aaron Ford wins Nevada governor's race, ousting Republican Joe Lombardo
The Associated Press called the race for Ford, the state attorney general, who will be Nevada's first Black governor and campaigned on affordability.
Democrat Aaron Ford, Nevada's since 2019, won the race for governor and ousted Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo. The Associated Press called the race at 4:46 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Ford will be the state's first Black governor.
The Daily Beast reports he will also be the first Black governor in any state west of the Mississippi River. With 87 percent of the vote counted, Townhall reports Ford ahead 51.7 percent to 44.1 percent. Lombardo, a former Clark County sheriff, was elected in 2022 after defeating Democrat Steve Sisolak and leaves office after one term.
Ford ran on affordability, blamed President Trump and Lombardo for Nevadans' economic troubles, and campaigned against the growth of data centers. Lombardo, endorsed by Trump, stressed public safety and tried to portray Ford as soft on crime. Ford was backed by former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
A Ford campaign spokesperson said Ford won despite being outspent by tens of millions. Fox News says Democrats already hold majorities in both chambers of the state Legislature, so Ford's win could put them in full control of state government, depending on other results.
- 51.7 percent to Lombardo's 44.1 percent Ford's vote share with 87 percent counted, per Townhall — Townhall
- 51.6 percent to Gov. Joe Lombardo's 44.3 percent Ford's lead in early results just after 2 a.m., per the Review-Journal — Las Vegas Review-Journal
- roughly 70,000 votes Ford's lead with 87 percent counted, per Townhall — Townhall
Three sides of the story
Liberal5 outlets
A historic win and a referendum on Trump's economy
The Daily Beast headlines Lombardo as "dumped" while Nevada "makes history," and places Ford's win beside other firsts in the , including Deb Haaland in New Mexico and Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia. It adds that Lombardo drew criticism in July for likening Trump to a "commanding officer." HuffPost carries the AP report, which opens on Ford ousting Lombardo and traces Ford's story: growing up in poverty, teaching math, then serving as attorney general, with a campaign built on affordability and curbs on AI data centers.
NBC News reports that Democrats tried to turn the race into a on Lombardo's and Trump's handling of the economy. It cites the "Lombardo-Trump economy" attack line, and a data-center agreement with the administration, and calls the result "a boon for Democrats." NPR's short report says Ford beat the Republican incumbent and is set to become the first Black governor.
Center2 outlets
Election-night results, quotes and the campaign's final stretch
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Ford "will become the next governor," citing the AP call at 1:46 a.m. PST Wednesday. It quotes Ford spokesperson Tai Sims saying the win "belongs to the housekeepers, nurses, teachers, rideshare drivers, electricians" and other working Nevadans. It also gives Lombardo's election-night remarks, including "Who gives a crap (about) what's going on in the rest of the world?"
The paper recounts the campaign: Democrats tying Lombardo to Trump's economic policies, Republicans questioning Ford's record as attorney general, ads over votes on the Board of Commissioners, and a debate that never happened. It lists Trump's backing of Lombardo and Obama's and Harris's backing of Ford. The Seattle Times gives a shorter account.
Ford won on affordability, blamed Trump and Lombardo for economic woes, had Newsom's and Harris's backing, and had easily beaten a more progressive .
- Las Vegas Review-Journal: Ford defeats Lombardo in Nevada’s governor race
- The Seattle Times: Democrat Aaron Ford wins election for governor in Nevada
Conservative3 outlets
Another Republican loss in a blue midterm night
Fox News headlines the result as an "upset" of a sitting Republican governor after a "blistering campaign." It notes that Democrats already hold both legislative chambers, so the win could give them unified control of state government, depending on other results. It sets out both sides' arguments: Ford on affordability and Lombardo's alignment with Trump, Lombardo on his record and on the cost of Ford's proposals, which Ford rejected.
Townhall calls the result "another disappointment for Republicans," embeds posts from Decision Desk HQ and the AP, and reports Ford ahead 51.7 percent to 44.1 percent with 87 percent counted. It adds that polls had shown a tighter race. The Epoch Times headlines the win as flipping the seat blue and notes the Cook Political Report rated the race a "Toss Up."
It quotes culinary union leader Ted Pappageorge blaming Trump's immigration enforcement for a "Trump slump" in Las Vegas visitors.
Which side made the stronger case?
All sources: 10 articles from 10 outlets
Liberal (5)
- HuffPost: Democrat Aaron Ford To Become Nevada's First Black Governor
- NBC News: Democrat Aaron Ford unseats GOP Gov. Joe Lombardo in Nevada
- NPR: Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford beats GOP incumbent for governor
- PBS NewsHour: Live Results: Nevada governor midterm election
- The Daily Beast: Trump Ally Joe Lombardo Dumped as Nevada Makes History
Center (2)
- Las Vegas Review-Journal: Ford defeats Lombardo in Nevada’s governor race
- The Seattle Times: Democrat Aaron Ford wins election for governor in Nevada
Conservative (3)
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