Governor of Nevada · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Nevada governor's race?
Aaron Ford has the strongest record in the Nevada governor's race. Aaron Ford scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Joe Lombardo at 61, as of October 6, 2026. Aaron Ford's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Joe Lombardo's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Danielle Ford (5 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
Strongest record
Aaron Ford
On the ballot as Aaron D. Ford
63 / 100
Public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 58
Independent
Danielle Ford
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 63
- Performance
- NR
Republican · incumbent
Joe Lombardo
On the ballot as Joseph Lombardo
61 / 100
Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 45
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 63
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Aaron Ford
- Mark against2013 to 2016
The IRS filed three liens against him for more than $185,000 in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties for 2010 to 2013; the liens were released in early 2016.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 21, 2018, Fox News (Washington Free Beacon), Aug. 1, 2018
- Mark against1991 to 1995
As a Texas A&M student was arrested four times, for public intoxication, a theft charge over an unpaid tire and two failures to appear; the theft case was dismissed after restitution. He acknowledged the record in 2018.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2018, The Nevada Independent, July 27, 2018
- Unresolved2026-02-11
A Nevada Commission on Ethics review panel found credible evidence to proceed on consolidated complaints alleging he accepted sponsored international trips and used official social media to amplify campaign accounts.
Where it stands: Pending: the Commission's opinions page, updated Aug. 27, 2026, lists it among panel referrals awaiting a Commission opinion. Ford said he believes he acted ethically.
Sources: Nevada Commission on Ethics, Review Panel Determination, Case Nos. 25-181C and 25-216C, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Feb. 17, 2026, The Nevada Independent, March 22, 2026, Nevada Commission on Ethics, Opinions page (updated Aug. 27, 2026)
- On the record2026
Declined to debate in the 2026 Democratic primary, then accepted two general election debates with nonpartisan news organizations and declined a radio debate Gov. Lombardo accepted.
Sources: Nevada Current, as published by Yahoo News, June 17, 2026, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Oct. 5, 2026
- On the record2023 to 2026
His office charged six Republicans who signed a false 2020 elector certificate; a Clark County judge dismissed the case twice, in 2026 finding prosecutors withheld evidence from the grand jury, and his office plans to appeal.
Source: The Nevada Independent, 2026
- On the record2019 to 2026
Spent at least 322 days out of state as attorney general, mostly at professional conferences, per a Nevada Independent review of his office calendars.
- Credit2023-07-05
Announced the end of Nevada's opioid litigation in July 2023 after the state won more than $1.1 billion over four years of legal action.
Danielle Ford
- On the record2025 to 2026
Serves on the Nevada State Board of Education and is running for governor as a nonpartisan candidate whose campaign reports show no money raised or spent.
Source: KTNV, Oct. 2, 2026
- On the record2019-04
As a Clark County School District trustee, used the term 'colored students' at an April 2019 board meeting on racist threats at a high school, then apologized on Facebook.
Sources: KSNV News 3, April 13, 2019, KTNV, April 2019
Joe Lombardo
- Mark against2025-09-23
Accepted one non-willful violation of Nevada ethics law for using his sheriff's badge and uniform in 2022 campaign materials, with a $5,000 payment, in a settlement the Commission on Ethics approved 5 to 3.
Sources: The Nevada Independent, Sept. 23, 2025, KSNV News 3, Sept. 24, 2025
- On the record2026-05-15
Was stopped by a Las Vegas police officer on May 15, 2026, for allegedly failing to stop at a red light, identified himself and was not ticketed, per police video obtained by the AP.
Sources: Associated Press, as published by NBC News, July 14, 2026, FOX5 Las Vegas, July 21, 2026
- On the record2026-09
Declined two proposed 2026 general election debates and accepted one on a conservative radio show; as of Oct. 5, 2026, no debate with Aaron Ford was scheduled to take place.
- On the record2023 and 2025
Vetoed 75 bills in 2023 and 87 in 2025, the most in a single session in Nevada history, for a single-term record of 162 vetoes.
- Credit2026
Has kept the no-new-taxes pledge he made in his first campaign for governor, per the Nevada Independent.
- Credit2025-04
Wrote to the Trump administration in April 2025 urging it to remove tariffs on lithium, saying they would harm Nevada's lithium industry.
- Credit2025
Signed his criminal justice package after the 2025 special session, reviving a court for crimes on the Las Vegas Strip; the Nevada Independent called it the state's most comprehensive criminal justice change since 2019.
Source: The Nevada Independent, 2025
- Credit2023
Signed AB528 in 2023, a $100 million homelessness fund negotiated with Democratic legislative leaders and the gaming industry that passed both chambers with wide bipartisan majorities.
Source: The Nevada Independent, 2023
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Aaron Ford. No final ethics, court or campaign finance finding against him found. A Commission on Ethics review panel in February 2026 found credible evidence to proceed on complaints over sponsored travel and social media use; no opinion issued (open, see Record).
Sources: Nevada Commission on Ethics, Review Panel Determination, Case Nos. 25-181C and 25-216C, The Nevada Independent, March 22, 2026, Nevada Commission on Ethics, Opinions page (updated Aug. 27, 2026)
Danielle Ford. No public record found.
Joe Lombardo. In September 2025 the Nevada Commission on Ethics approved a stipulated agreement in which he accepted one non-willful violation of the state ethics law for campaign use of his sheriff's badge and uniform, with a $5,000 payment.
Sources: The Nevada Independent, Sept. 23, 2025, KSNV News 3, Sept. 24, 2025
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Aaron Ford. No public record found.
Danielle Ford. No public record found.
Joe Lombardo. In April 2025 wrote to the Trump administration, led by his own party, urging removal of tariffs on lithium, saying U.S. companies including Nevada's cannot absorb the costs.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Aaron Ford. Accepted two 2026 general election debates, including a League of Women Voters forum on Oct. 8, and took voter questions at a town hall; declined a radio debate and declined to debate in the Democratic primary.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal, Oct. 5, 2026, Nevada Current, as published by Yahoo News, June 17, 2026, Carson Now, Oct. 5, 2026
Danielle Ford. No public record found.
Joe Lombardo. Declined two proposed 2026 general election debates and accepted one on the Alan Stock radio show on KDWN; no debate had been held as of Oct. 5, 2026. Gave the Review-Journal a wide-ranging interview.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Aaron Ford. State senator 2013 to 2019, including majority leader, and attorney general since 2019 with no censure, reprimand or final conduct finding found. Arrests from 1991 to 1994 are older than 10 years and are in the Record.
Source: Ballotpedia, Aaron Ford
Danielle Ford. No public record found.
Joe Lombardo. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer from 1988, Clark County sheriff 2015 to 2023 and governor since 2023, with no censure or conduct finding standing. A 2023 Ethics Commission censure was not carried into the 2025 settlement.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Joe Lombardo, The Nevada Independent, Sept. 23, 2025
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Aaron Ford. Sworn attorney general since Jan. 7, 2019, and state senator before that, with no misuse-of-office finding and no action to reject certified results. His office prosecuted Nevada's 2020 false electors (see Record).
Sources: Ballotpedia, Aaron Ford, The Nevada Independent, 2026
Danielle Ford. Elected Clark County School District trustee, 2019 to 2023, and State Board of Education member since 2025, with no official finding of misuse of office found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Danielle Ford
Joe Lombardo. Served in the Army, Army Reserve and National Guard, as sheriff and as governor since Jan. 2, 2023, with no recorded action to reject certified results. The 2025 ethics settlement is scored under Integrity.
Source: Ballotpedia, Joe Lombardo
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Aaron Ford. Attorney general since 2019, two terms. Nevada Senate member for District 11 from 2013 to 2019, majority leader 2017 to 2019 and minority leader 2015 to 2016.
Source: Ballotpedia, Aaron Ford
Danielle Ford. Member of the Nevada State Board of Education for District 3 since January 2025 and a Clark County School District trustee from 2019 to 2023. Marketing strategist.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Danielle Ford, KTNV, Oct. 2, 2026
Joe Lombardo. Governor of Nevada since January 2023; his first term ends in January 2027. Elected Clark County sheriff in 2014 and re-elected in 2018; 26 years with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Source: Ballotpedia, Joe Lombardo
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Aaron Ford. Publishes specific plans, including legislation requiring data centers to supply their own power and raising K-12 per-pupil funding to the national average, about $2 billion, without new taxes; funding specifics not outlined.
Danielle Ford. Publishes positions in general terms through her Ballotpedia survey, focused on education, cost of living and government accountability.
Source: Ballotpedia, Danielle Ford, 2026 Candidate Connection survey
Joe Lombardo. Sitting governor whose 2023 education omnibus bill, AB400, reinstated third-grade retention. Campaign gave no direct answer on data center power costs or K-12 funding to the national average.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Aaron Ford. Three channels documented: written AARP questionnaire answers, two debates accepted and a town hall, plus campaign issue pages. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: AARP Nevada, 2026 governor Q&A, Aaron Ford for Nevada Governor, Issues, Ballotpedia, Aaron Ford
Danielle Ford. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Source: Ballotpedia, Danielle Ford
Joe Lombardo. Three channels documented: written answers to the AARP candidate questionnaire, a radio debate accepted, and a wide-ranging Review-Journal interview. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: AARP Nevada, 2026 governor Q&A, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Oct. 5, 2026, Ballotpedia, Joe Lombardo
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Aaron Ford. Nevada resident and officeholder since his 2012 state Senate election; born and educated in Texas. In-state share of contributions not available from the sources opened.
Source: Ballotpedia, Aaron Ford
Danielle Ford. Describes herself as a Las Vegas native who attended Clark County schools; served as an elected Las Vegas school trustee. Her campaign reported no money raised.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Danielle Ford, 2026 Candidate Connection survey, KTNV, Oct. 2, 2026
Joe Lombardo. Family moved to Las Vegas in 1976; UNLV graduate and Clark County sheriff. In-state share of contributions not available from the sources opened.
Source: Ballotpedia, Joe Lombardo
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Aaron Ford. Has headed the Nevada Attorney General's Office since 2019. No Nevada campaign finance penalty found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Aaron Ford
Danielle Ford. No public record found.
Joe Lombardo. Headed the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department as elected sheriff for two terms, 2015 to 2023, and the state executive branch since 2023. No Nevada campaign finance penalty found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Joe Lombardo
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Aaron Ford. His office concluded Nevada's opioid litigation in July 2023 after winning more than $1.1 billion over four years.
Danielle Ford. No public record found.
Joe Lombardo. Signed a 2025 criminal justice package, the most comprehensive since 2019, and in 2023 a $250 million teacher pay matching fund and a $100 million homelessness fund. Signed 518 bills in 2025.
Sources: The Nevada Independent, 2025, The Nevada Independent, 2023, The Nevada Independent, 2025 veto tracker
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Aaron Ford. Attended 19 of 21 meetings of the state boards and commissions he serves on in 2024, per the Review-Journal as reported by The Nevada Independent.
Danielle Ford. No public record found.
Joe Lombardo. Attended 19 of 21 meetings of the state boards and commissions he serves on in 2024, per the Review-Journal as reported by The Nevada Independent.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Aaron Ford. No public record found.
Danielle Ford. No public record found.
Joe Lombardo. The governor's office runs a Constituent Services team to help residents with state agencies, with offices in Carson City and Las Vegas. No published casework totals found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Aaron Ford. In April 2025 co-led a bipartisan coalition of 40 state and territory attorneys general on a letter to HHS about the national human trafficking hotline.
Source: Nevada Attorney General press release, April 16, 2025 (archived)
Danielle Ford. No public record found.
Joe Lombardo. Several enacted results with Democratic leaders: AB528 (2023), a $100 million homelessness fund negotiated with them that passed with wide bipartisan majorities, and the 2025 crime package, backed by lawmakers from both parties.
Sources: The Nevada Independent, 2023, The Nevada Independent, 2025
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Aaron Ford. No public record found.
Danielle Ford. No public record found.
Joe Lombardo. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Nevada governor's race?
Aaron Ford has the strongest record in the Nevada governor's race. Aaron Ford scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Joe Lombardo at 61, as of October 6, 2026. Aaron Ford's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Joe Lombardo's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Danielle Ford (5 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Nevada governor's race in 2026?
Aaron Ford (Democratic), Danielle Ford (Independent), Joe Lombardo (Republican, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Aaron Ford a good candidate for Governor?
Aaron Ford scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 58 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Danielle Ford a good candidate for Governor?
Danielle Ford has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Joe Lombardo a good candidate for Governor?
Joe Lombardo scores 61 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 45 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 63 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Nevada race scored, and the Nevada 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.