Incumbent Joe Lombardo (R), Aaron Ford (D), and seven other candidates are running in the general election for governor of Nevada on November 3, 2026. The primary was June 9, 2026. The filing deadline was March 13, 2026.
Associated Press' Jessica Hill wrote after both won their respective parties' nominations that it set up "what is considered one of the most competitive governor’s races in the country," and ABC News' Juhi Doshi wrote, "Nevada offers a particularly revealing test case: a tourism-heavy economy, a working-class Latino electorate and an expanding bloc of nonpartisan voters."
In 2024, Donald Trump (R) became the first Republican to win the state since George W. Bush (R) in 2004, defeating Kamala Harris (D) 51% to 48%. The state is one of 11 with a divided government, as Lombardo is a Republican while Democrats hold both chambers of the Legislature and the offices of attorney general and secretary of state. Additionally, in recent years, the number of voters not affiliated with a major party has increased, while the share registered with a major party has declined.
Politico's Megan Messerly wrote, "Stung by tariffs that have chilled travel from Canada and Mexico and an immigration crackdown that has made international visitors wary of coming to the United States, Las Vegas saw 7.5 percent fewer guests last year ... a heavy blow to a state economy still so reliant on tourism. Nevada’s unemployment rate remains among the highest in the nation and the hospitality workers who form the backbone of the Las Vegas economy are seeing reduced hours, smaller tips and layoffs."
Both candidates have focused on the economy. Lombardo has focused on his economic record, and his campaign said in a statement, "Under Governor Lombardo’s leadership, Nevada has led the nation in job growth for 11 consecutive months, employment has grown 1.8% year-over-year, we’ve reached a record 1.6 million jobs, generated over $6 billion in new investment, and created nearly 100,000 jobs." Ford has criticized what he called the "Lombardo-Trump economy," and said, "No more failed leadership in Carson City that lets jobs disappear while prices are soaring … no more to a governor who bends the knee to a president he seeks to please instead of the people he’s sworn to protect."
Lombardo was first elected in 2022, defeating incumbent Steve Sisolak (D) 49% to 47%. He is campaigning on his record, which he said included "creating nearly 100,000 new jobs, attracting over $6 billion in private investment, leading the nation in job and wage growth, improving our schools, strengthening public safety, and making housing more affordable." Lombardo is also campaigning on serving as a counter to the legislature's Democratic supermajority, saying, "160 vetoes are nothing to celebrate, because what that means is bad government. I won’t hesitate for a second to say no again, though, or to be the last line of defense between you and irresponsible politicians."
Ford was first elected attorney general in 2018. He is campaigning on reducing the cost of housing, and his campaign website says he would "stand up to tariffs that threaten to drive up housing costs ... crack down on Wall Street firms coming into Nevada ... and encourage new construction by working with municipalities to ease the permitting process and use vacant land." Ford also said he would repeal a state right-to-work law, saying, "It can be done legislatively. They can send me a bill. And if they send it to me, I'm signing it."
Christopher Battenberg (No Party Preference), Max Beck (No Political Party), Danielle Ford (No Political Party), Jordan Koteras (No Political Party), Allen Rheinhart (No Political Party), Emilio Rodriguez (No Political Party), and John Scott (No Political Party) are also running.
This is one of 36 gubernatorial elections taking place in 2026. There are currently 26 Republican governors and 24 Democratic governors. Click here for an overview of all 36 gubernatorial elections taking place in 2026.