Aaron Ford’s Radical Ties Risk Alienating Nevada’s Surging Independent Voters in 2026 Governor Race

As Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford ramps up his campaign for governor in 2026, his alliances with far-left figures and organizations are drawing sharp scrutiny. 

Ford, who confirmed his bid in December 2024, has positioned himself as a progressive champion, but his ties to radical socialists and anti-First Amendment initiatives paint a troubling picture for Nevadans who value freedom, security, and common-sense governance. 

From cozying up to Democratic Socialists who have made inflammatory statements on international terrorism to endorsing policies that undermine free speech, Ford’s record suggests a gubernatorial agenda more aligned with the extreme left than with the hardworking families of the Silver State and the majority of its independent voters.

Ford’s recent appearance alongside Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), underscores his embrace of progressive endorsements. 

On Wednesday, Timmaraju formally endorsed Ford at an event in Nevada, praising his commitment to “reproductive freedom.” The two discussed the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, with Ford emphasizing that family planning decisions should remain private. 

While reproductive rights are a legitimate issue, Timmaraju’s broader activism raises red flags. She has amplified content on X (formerly Twitter) labeling Trump supporters as “Christofascists” and members of a “cult,” rhetoric that demonizes half the country, a majority of Nevadans, and fuels division rather than dialogue. 

This isn’t just hyperbole—it’s the kind of inflammatory language that erodes civil discourse and alienates moderate voters. By aligning with Timmaraju, Ford signals his willingness to court extremists who view political opponents not as fellow Americans, but as enemies of the state.

Equally concerning is Ford’s association with Shaun Navarro, a prominent member of the Las Vegas Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Navarro, endorsed by the DSA for Nevada Assembly District 34 in 2026 , has a history of radical activism and appearing at events with state Democrats. 

A longtime organizer in socialist circles, Navarro emerged from the Bernie Sanders movement and has pushed for policies that reimagine society through a collectivist lens, including reframing holidays like Valentine’s Day as opportunities for “collective love” under socialism. There was no “collective love” displayed by Navarro when he ambushed Governor Lombardo at an event and called him a “piece of shit” while live-streaming.

Navarro’s sophomoric behavior and infantile statements go beyond a poor communications strategy and failed economic theory. He has been accused of celebrating the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that slaughtered over 1,000 Israelis, a stance that the Better Nevada PAC highlighted in a recent X post criticizing Ford for campaigning alongside him.  

The Better Nevada PAC, a pro-Republican group supporting Governor Joe Lombardo, posted images from an event showing Ford addressing a crowd that included DSA members, questioning why Ford would align with someone who allegedly glorified terrorism. “Hey @AaronDFordNV, why are you campaigning with a Democratic Socialist who celebrated the slaughter of 1,000 Israelis on 10/7?” the post read, garnering significant attention and backlash.

Hey @AaronDFordNV, why are you campaigning with a Democratic Socialist who celebrated the slaughter of 1,000 Israelis on 10/7?#NVleg #NVgov https://t.co/IY5BjHeM0M pic.twitter.com/DDuqeSxnRF

— Nevada War Room – Better NV PAC (@BetterNevadaPAC) January 22, 2026

This isn’t an isolated incident. Ford’s pattern of associating with radicals extends to his work on free speech issues. 

In 2021 during the pandemic, he was appointed to the Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder, a body tasked with combating “mis- and disinformation.” While framed as a noble effort to “protect democracy,” the commission’s recommendations have been criticized as veiled attacks on the First Amendment. Ford’s involvement included discussions on civic education, declining trust in institutions, and the role of Section 230—topics that often lead to calls for greater content moderation by tech platforms and government oversight. Think social media de-platforming, government-sponsored censorship, and reeducation camps. 

Critics, including free speech advocates, argue that such initiatives prioritize “truth” as defined by elites over open debate, leading to the censorship of conservative voices and alternative perspectives. 

As Nevada’s “top cop,” Ford’s participation in this commission raises questions about his commitment to constitutional protections. Would a Governor Ford use state power to police speech under the guise of fighting “disinformation”?

Whoa. Look who is found in the latest #TwitterFiles release: Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford.

He sits on the Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder, a multimillion *taxpayer funded* NGO.

According to Taibbi, their commission released a report in 2021 that says… https://t.co/UR9COcqRMd pic.twitter.com/8f2n1KuJg6

— Courtney Holland 🇺🇸 (@hollandcourtney) March 9, 2023

These associations come at a time when Ford’s own record is under fire. 

As I’ve reported previously, Ford has a penchant for lavish travel, spending nearly $140,000 on campaign-funded trips, including international jaunts to France, Singapore, and Taiwan—while Nevadans grapple with high housing costs and economic pressures. His “Affordable Nevada” housing plan, unveiled recently, promises renter protections and incentives for development, but skeptics see it as more government intervention that could exacerbate the crisis rather than solve it.  And let’s not forget his time at the UN Human Rights Committee, where he rubbed shoulders with representatives from regimes like China and Russia—hardly models of freedom or human rights.

Ford has also publicly opposed voter ID measures, claiming that such requirements are “unconstitutional.” In my coverage from The Nevada Globe, Ford’s stance was highlighted during discussions around Republican-led voter integrity legislation, where he and other state Democratic leaders pushed back against proposals to mandate photo ID for voting. This position stands in stark contrast to the Nevada Voter ID initiative (Question 7), a constitutional amendment requiring voters to present photo identification when voting in person or provide certain personal information (such as the last four digits of a driver’s license or Social Security number) when voting by mail. The measure passed with strong support in 2024 and is appearing on the ballot for a required second approval on November 3, 2026, to become part of the Nevada Constitution. Over 70 percent of Nevadans voted in favor of the ballot measure. 

Nevadans deserve a governor who prioritizes security, prosperity, and liberty—not one entangled with radicals who celebrate violence abroad, suppress dissent at home, and pal around with radicals who label a majority of Nevada voters as “Christo-fasict cult members.”

Nevada is historically known as a swing state, but independent voters will ultimately decide how far Nevada will swing should they promote Aaron Ford, who will preside over a Democratic majority in the state legislature. As Lombardo has promised on the campaign trail to stop the woke, California agenda, Ford has doubled down and  vowed to “stay woke.”

The Globe reached out to Ford’s campaign manager for comment, but we did not receive a response at the time of publication.