GOP Governor Lombardo concedes to Ford in Nevada gubernatorial race

Just the News 03 November 2026

(The Center Square) -

(The Center Square) - The Nevada desert saw its own blue tsunami in a Democratic sweep of the state's election.

Nevadans on Tuesday sent Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford to the governor's office over Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo and filled the rest of the executive branch with Democratic leaders.

Lombardo conceded Wednesday afternoon.

pic.twitter.com/vX7nKeaQZ0
— Joe Lombardo (@JoeLombardoNV) November 4, 2026

Ford will be Nevada's first Black governor, as well as the first Black governor of any state west of the Mississippi River. He will serve in office at the same time as three other newly elected Black governors (Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin) and reelected Gov. Wes Moore in Maryland. This marks the first time in U.S. history that multiple Black governors will be in office at the same time.

"This campaign didn't happen by accident," Ford said at a campaign event late Tuesday night. "It happened because of faith, because of family, because of hard work, and because the people of Nevada decided that our best days are still ahead of us."

Ford received 505,738 votes, 51.73% of the electorate with all 17 counties reporting as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Secretary of State's office. Lombardo received 431,367 votes and 44.12% of the electorate, losing by a larger margin than polling had predicted.

As in past years, results were not reported until after many of the country's biggest races had been called. As of Wednesday afternoon, some races were still too close to call.

Voters were still casting ballots several hours after the polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Under Nevada law, anyone still in line at 7 p.m. has the right to vote, and no results can be published until the last person in the state voted. On Tuesday, the last person voted at 11:57 p.m. at Brinley Middle School in Las Vegas in Clark County. The Secretary of State's Office began publishing results at 11:58 p.m.

"Voters in Nevada deserve credit for their dedication during this General Election," Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar told The Center Square in an email Wednesday afternoon. "They showed up despite the chaos the federal administration tried to incite in the months leading up to the election, and they overcame serious challenges on Election Day. That dedication is worthy of commendation, but no voter should have to wait in line for five hours."

#Election2026 10pm update in Clark County. Voting is still ongoing at 12 locations. Voters at these centers were in line at 7pm and these polls will not close until they have had their opportunity to cast their ballots. pic.twitter.com/6DtRuoekor
— Clark County Nevada (@ClarkCountyNV) November 4, 2026

"Nevadans deserve better, and my team is ready to support Clark County officials and officials from any county willing to take ownership and confront these issues head on," said Aguilar.

Shortly after election results were first published by the Secretary of State's Office, the governor's race had been declared a Democratic victory.

Ford and Lombardo, both heavyweights for their political parties in the state, traded barbs and squabbled over a wide range of issues for many months in the lead up to the election.

No topic received as much attention as the economy. Issues such as gas, grocery and utility prices, as well as healthcare costs and housing affordability, dominated the campaign trail.

Ford talked to voters about corporate homeownership limits, reduced prescription drug prices and increased oversight of utility companies. His remarks tied Lombardo to President Donald Trump's unpopular economic agenda.

By contrast, Lombardo highlighted his work on creating a more friendly business environment in the state and reducing crime, and he said he would focus on reducing taxes and expanding the state's sports economy.

Both candidates' campaigns received millions over recent months. As of Sept. 30, Lombardo and his affiliated political action committees had far outraised Ford's campaign with $42.9 million to Ford's $9.1 million.

In this latest campaign finance period, Lombardo's largest contributors came from the gaming industry, Republican Governors Association and utility companies. This included $12.5 million from the RGA and associated groups, $1 million from Las-Vegas based resort-casino company Station Casino LLC and $250,000 from Nevada's largest natural gas utility, Southwest Gas.

Some of Ford's largest contributions of the quarter came from unions and a personal injury law firm. A half million dollars came from a union - the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, while an international labor union for healthcare, public services and property services, the Service Employees International Union's Committee on Political Education sent $250,000. Well-known personal injury attorney John Morgan of Morgan and Morgan Law Firm sent $200,000.

"Governor-elect Aaron Ford overcame being outspent by tens of millions in this race thanks to the strength of his movement of working people fighting for a Nevada we can all afford to call home," Ford campaign spokesperson Tai Sims said in a statement.

Lower down on the ticket, Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Las Vegas, won the attorney general's race to replace Ford over challenger Adriana Guzmán Fralick, a Republican attorney, with 546,572 votes or 56.38% of the electorate to 401,870 votes or 41.45%.

Democrat incumbent Francisco Aguilar handedly won the Secretary of State's office over Republican challenger Jim Marchant with 554,501 votes or 57.01% of the electorate to 383,360 or 39.42%.

Democrat Tya Mathis-Coleman won the open state treasurer's office over Republican Drew Johnson with 534,100 votes or 55.16% of the electorate to 415,753 or 42.93%.

Democrat Michael Macdougall won the state controller's office over Republican Andy Matthews with 525,845 votes or 54.45% of the electorate to 418,586 or 43.35%.

Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui, D-Las Vegas, won the lieutenant governor's race over Republican incumbent Stavros Anthony with 529.847 votes or 54.44% of the electorate to 400,703 and 41.17%.