Aaron Ford, Nevada’s attorney general, won the Democratic nomination for governor on Tuesday. This sets him up for a contest against the current Republican governor, Joe Lombardo, who is considered one of the country’s most vulnerable incumbents.
Ford faced a primary challenge from Washoe County commissioner Alexis Hill. Throughout the campaign, Ford maintained significant leads in polls, fundraising, and endorsements. He avoided debating Hill, focusing instead on the upcoming race against Lombardo and addressing Nevada’s economic challenges.
In Nevada, a crucial and politically unpredictable state, voters often remove incumbents, especially during economic hardship. Notably, Steve Sisolak, a Democratic governor, lost his re-election in 2022, largely due to backlash from his pandemic-related lockdown measures.
At age 54, Ford hopes to benefit from Nevada’s high unemployment and gas prices. Democrats see this race as a prime chance to gain a governorship.
Ford’s journey in Nevada politics is remarkable. Raised in poverty in Texas, he pursued higher education through a federal program for low-income students. During his early 20s, as a single father, he relied on food stamps and public housing. Ford believes his personal story will resonate with Nevada’s working-class voters, who are influential in elections. If elected, he would be Nevada’s first Black governor.
In his victory speech, Ford stated, “Tonight we offer a fresh start for Nevada — building an economy of the people, for the people, by the people. On day one, we’re going to lower costs.”