Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo Boasts Record $15 Million War Chest

Nevada Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is entering the 2026 election cycle with an unprecedented financial advantage, announcing a record-breaking $15 million total war chest that dwarfs any previous gubernatorial campaign at this stage. 

The impressive haul underscores growing support for Lombardo’s leadership and sets the stage for a fierce battle against his likely Democratic challenger, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford.

In a press release issued today, Lombardo revealed that his campaign finished 2025 with over $9 million in cash-on-hand after raising an additional $4.28 million throughout the year—the highest non-election year total in Nevada gubernatorial history. 

When combined with funds from his two affiliated PACs, which report an additional $5.9 million on hand after raising over $4.7 million in 2025, Team Lombardo boasts nearly $15 million ready to deploy. This figure exceeds the previous record set by former Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak and leaves Lombardo with roughly $5 million more than any predecessor at a comparable point in the cycle.

“This historic fundraising record shows Nevadans across our state are rallying behind our results,” Governor Lombardo stated. “From attainable housing and public safety to education and a stronger economy, our administration is delivering. With support continuing to grow, we’re ready to take our message statewide and earn four more years to finish the job for Nevada families.”

Lombardo’s strong position comes as no surprise to observers who have followed his tenure. Elected in 2022 as the only candidate of either party to defeat an incumbent governor that year, Lombardo flipped the seat from blue to red by ousting Democratic incumbent Steve Sisolak in a hard-fought race. Facing a near super majority Democratic legislature who mirrors the radical California legislature, Lombardo has issued a historic number of vetoes during his last two legislative sessions. 

A former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department veteran with 26 years of service—including two terms as Clark County Sheriff—Lombardo has prioritized law enforcement, border security, and resisting the spread of California-style progressive policies into the Silver State.

Lombardo announced his reelection bid last year, positioning himself as a bulwark against the “woke California agenda.” Recently Lombardo established a Fuel Resiliency Committee to shield Nevada from California’s radical energy mandates.

Last week, Lombardo has championed protections for women’s sports, launching a constitutional initiative to safeguard female athletes. Last year, his administration secured a key agreement with the Department of Justice to affirm Nevada’s commitment to federal immigration enforcement, rejecting Democrats’ sanctuary-state policies.

Recent polling shows the race tightening, with some surveys placing Lombardo and Ford in a dead heat—though we reported that the survey under-sampled independents by 10 percent.

On the Democratic side, Attorney General Aaron Ford is widely expected to be Lombardo’s chief opponent in November 2026. Ford, who has already launched his gubernatorial campaign, has faced scrutiny for his record, including extensive out-of-state travel and numerous, aggressive lawsuits against the Trump administration that have raised questions about his commitment to all Nevadans and costs to Nevada taxpayers. Nevadans resoundingly elected Donald Trump in 2024. 

Ford has also been criticized for his far-left stance on issues like immigration enforcement and transgender participation in sports, where his actions have drawn accusations from Lombardo’s campaign of flip-flopping on critical issues. 

With Lombardo’s massive fundraising lead and track record of rejecting failed, Democratic policies—while Ford pushes a progressive platform that critics argue mirrors failed California policies—the 2026 Nevada gubernatorial race is shaping up as a clear contrast in visions for the state’s future.