Lombardo seeks final push in Nevada governor race
With nine days until Election Day, the incumbent relies on local outreach and a record of housing and job initiatives to counter a surging Democratic challenger.
By Giulia Donovan ·
Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) is in the final stretch of a tight gubernatorial race in Nevada.
Lombardo visited the St. George & St. Dimitrie Romanian Orthodox Church in Las Vegas on a crisp fall afternoon, nine days before Election Day. He received a traditional welcome drink of țuică, a strong plum brandy, from Lia Roberts, the parish council president. Roberts, a former leader of the Nevada Republican Party, guided the governor through the room, which was decorated with Romanian flags. Lombardo, wearing a dark suit jacket and jeans, greeted attendees with hugs during the meal celebrating Saint Dimitrie.
The visit was a tactical move to engage local communities directly. Lombardo told attendees that voter apathy is a risk in states without a presidential race. "Your vote matters in the state of Nevada, and unfortunately, when there isn't a president on the ballot, people tend to be a little apathetic and they don't show up," Lombardo said. "We gotta change that." This message caps a final week focused on local events, including a Baptist church visit and a radio interview.
Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) leads in prediction markets and early voting data. A late advertising boost from national Democrats has helped Ford close the gap after Lombardo's heavy summer spending. Ford has nationalized the campaign, tying Lombardo to President Donald Trump (R) and emphasizing high prices. Emerson College polling shows 43 percent of Nevada voters view the economy as their top issue. Gas prices are near record highs, and housing costs remain elevated.
Lombardo is running as a moderate, focusing on his record while distancing himself from the president. He argues that state leaders must build upon federal programs. "I'm more concerned about what influence I could have within the boundaries of our state," Lombardo said. This strategy mirrors his 2022 victory, when he defeated Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) by linking Sisolak to inflation and rising costs under President Joe Biden (D).
On Friday, Lombardo canvassed in Reno, where he emphasized his background in law enforcement. He said that understanding a community is essential for success in public office. "We don't have that complete understanding of the community, especially when you're a young police officer," Lombardo said. "As you move forward in your career, you understand you're only successful as the trust you create with the community."
Lombardo also attended the groundbreaking for Nevada's first stand-alone children's hospital in Las Vegas. The event featured lobbyists and lawmakers, and Lombardo's campaign has highlighted the project in advertisements. His wife, Donna, teared up while stories of children with cancer were shared. Their grandson, Teddy, had previously required surgery that no state hospital could perform. Ad-tracking firm AdImpact reports that $76 million has been spent on the race so far.
Political science experts note that the absence of a Senate race insulates the governor from some national backlash. Rebecca Gill, a professor at UNLV, stated that voters often associate the state's Republican candidate with the president. "Trump himself is ensuring that to the best of his ability, when voters think of the Republican who's on the ticket, they think of Trump," Gill said. Jeremy Gelman, a professor at UNR, added that the political environment for Republicans is more challenging this cycle than it was for Democrats in 2022.
