Governor-elect Aaron Ford addressed supporters Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Las Vegas, reiterating his commitment to not raising taxes and promising to tackle the high cost of living. Ford, Nevada’s Democratic Attorney General, won the election against Republican incumbent Gov. Joe Lombardo.
Ford identified expensive health care, unaffordable child care, rising utility prices, and the affordable housing crisis as pressing issues. He stated that state lawmakers did not need to address the existing tax structure to enact legislative priorities targeting the affordability crisis. Instead, he emphasized the importance of budgeting, saying, “we don’t have to raise taxes in order to invest in our people.” Ford also mentioned that “on day one we’re going to issue an affordability emergency,” which would enable state agencies to explore ways to “put money back in people’s pockets.”
Ford, who was one of five Black governors elected nationwide on Tuesday, also made history as the first Black governor elected in Nevada. The Associated Press called the victory for Ford shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday. Lombardo conceded later that day, stating he “hoped Nevadans would move forward with a renewed sense of purpose united by our love for the state.” Ford said he spoke with Lombardo but would not detail the specifics of the conversation, noting that Lombardo “was gracious.”
Ford referenced some of the bills Lombardo vetoed, including efforts to rein in corporate homeownership. He stated, “We’re going to make sure that people who live and work in Nevada have a fair shot at owning a piece of it.” Ford also pledged to be the most pro-union governor and end “that farce that’s called ‘right to work.’” He added, “These people who build our roads, who care for our patients, who teach our children, who mine our minerals, and who keep the lights on up and down the Strip. They deserve a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”
