Democrat Aaron Ford has defeated incumbent Republican Joe Lombardo to become the next governor of Nevada, a result that aligns with broader midterm election trends favoring Democrats. The Associated Press called the race in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Ford, who currently serves as Nevada's attorney general, secured victory with 51.5 percent of the vote compared to Lombardo's 44.3 percent, with 85 percent of precincts reporting. The gubernatorial contest was considered one of the most closely watched races in a key swing state.
During his campaign, Ford prioritized addressing the affordability crisis in Nevada, frequently criticizing what he termed the 'Lombardo-Trump economy' and attributing economic hardships to former President Trump. Ford ran on a moderate platform, having successfully navigated a primary against a more progressive challenger. He emphasized that the party's progressive wing does not represent the entirety of Democratic voters, a message that resonated with voters as he becomes Nevada's first Black governor.
Ford's win is part of a larger trend of Republican setbacks on election night. This gubernatorial victory is only the second for a Democrat in Nevada since 1998. The Democratic party also achieved a clean sweep of other statewide races in Nevada, winning the contests for secretary of state, attorney general, and lieutenant governor, in addition to securing all available House seats in the state.