Democrats Aim to Unseat Gov. Lombardo in Trump-Weary Nevada/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democrats are zeroing in on Nevada’s GOP Gov. Joe Lombardo, hoping economic instability and Trump fatigue will open the door to retaking the governorship. Lombardo, though aligned with Trump on paper, has distanced himself on key policies. As Nevada faces a tourism downturn and shifting Latino voter dynamics, Democrats are betting on discontent to drive their comeback in 2026.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
- Lombardo backed by Trump, but breaks from him on key issues
- Nevada’s economy hit by nearly 8% drop in tourism
- Democrats frame Lombardo as complicit in Trump-era struggles
- Attorney General Aaron Ford and Alexis Hill vying for Democratic nomination
- Latino voters remain a critical swing group in the state
- Lombardo maintains moderate stance, vetoed 160+ Democratic bills
- Polls show mixed views of Lombardo, with Trump still divisive
- Dems hope economic issues will outweigh GOP voter registration edge
Democrats See Opportunity in Nevada’s Economic Slowdown, Trump Ties
LAS VEGAS — National Democrats are sharpening their focus on Nevada, betting that economic discontent and Donald Trump’s enduring influence will help them reclaim the state’s governorship from Republican Joe Lombardo in 2026.
Despite Trump’s endorsement, Gov. Lombardo, a former sheriff who unseated Democrat Steve Sisolak in 2022, has made efforts to distance himself from some of the White House’s policies — criticizing federal Medicaid cuts, opposing solar project cancellations, and asking the administration to remove tariffs on lithium.
But Democrats say those breaks are not enough. They’re pushing a message that Lombardo has failed to defend Nevada’s interests, especially as the state grapples with a steep tourism slump and rising costs. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, visitor volume is down 7.9% year-to-date compared to 2024.
“The ‘Trump slump’ is real, and Nevada is the canary in the coal mine,” said Sen. Jackie Rosen, who recently won reelection by 2 points — in a state Trump carried by 3.
Strategy: Paint Lombardo as Trump’s Enabler
Lombardo, who announced his reelection campaign in September, has taken a hard stance against the Democrat-controlled state legislature, vetoing over 160 bills, and calling himself the “last line of defense” against “irresponsible politicians.”
But Democrats are working to tie him closely to Trump’s unpopular policies. Attorney General Aaron Ford, who is running to challenge Lombardo, accuses the governor of “standing by silently” as Trump’s presidency exacerbates economic hardship.
“Lombardo hasn’t made inroads to improve Nevadans’ lives,” Ford said. “He’s enabled Trump’s damage.”
Progressive challenger Alexis Hill, Washoe County Commission Chair, is also seeking the Democratic nomination. She argues that Democrats must pair anti-Trump messaging with concrete solutions, like housing reform and economic diversification.
“What we learned from the last election is that Nevadans need something to vote for,” Hill said.
Independent Voters, Latino Shift, and GOP Headwinds
While Nevada’s GOP has gained ground in voter registration, independents still form the largest voting bloc. Democrats are hoping to win back working-class and Latino voters, many of whom swung toward Trump in 2024.
In 2020, 27% of Nevada Latinos voted for Trump. In 2024, that number rose to 35%.
Despite that trend, a recent Emerson College poll showed Ford leading Lombardo by 16 points among Latino voters — a potential signal that cultural issues alone aren’t enough to secure the GOP’s advantage.
Still, some Republican strategists say the Democrats’ playbook feels outdated.
“Attacking Trump isn’t a governing plan,” said GOP strategist Jeremy Hughes, who works with the Lombardo campaign. “Ford has always been a culture warrior — pivoting to the economy won’t be easy for him.”
Lombardo Walks the Line
Although endorsed by Trump, Lombardo has broken from the former president on key flashpoints:
- Opposed mass deportation plans in January
- Pushed back against White House claims that Nevada is a “sanctuary state”
- Authorized National Guard support for ICE operations, but only after months of hesitation
- Declined to call Trump a “great president” in 2022, instead describing him as “sound”
Despite these moves, Democrats argue he is still complicit in a presidency they view as economically destructive and authoritarian.
“We’ve gotten poorer and sicker since Trump took office — and Lombardo hasn’t done much to help,” said Sen. Rosen.
Poll Watch: A State on the Edge
A Noble Predictive Insights poll found:
- 46% of voters blamed high travel costs for the tourism drop
- Only 14% linked it to political rhetoric or federal policies
- Lombardo’s approval: 34% approve, 36% disapprove, 30% neutral
- His Trump alignment received the highest disapproval
This mixed bag gives both parties reasons for hope — and caution.
What’s Next
With the Democratic primary still to be decided between Ford and Hill, the race is expected to intensify into the new year. Lombardo’s campaign has framed itself as one delivering “real results” — from school funding to job growth — while Democrats see a state ready to break with Trump-aligned politics.
Whether voters buy into the “Trump slump” narrative, or give Lombardo credit for holding the line in a blue legislature, Nevada remains one of 2026’s most closely watched battlegrounds.
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