Nevada Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford has successfully ousted Republican Gov.Joe Lombardo in Nevada, a significant pickup for Democrats in the critical battleground state, The Associated Press projects.Ford's defeat of Lombardo comes in one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races in the country.Ford’s victory makes him Nevada’s first Black governor and gives Democrats control of the governor’s office for the first time since Lombardo defeated Democratic Gov.
Steve Sisolak in 2022.Ford, who has served as Nevada’s attorney general since 2019, campaigned on affordability, housing, education, healthcare and protecting access to abortion.He argued that Nevada families were struggling with high housing costs, energy bills and other rising expenses under Lombardo and the Republican administration.FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS: THE TOP RACES TO WATCH AS 36 STATES CHOOSE THEIR NEXT GOVERNORRepublican Gov.
Joe Lombardo, right, and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford.(Carmen Mandato/Getty Images; Las Vegas Review-Journal file/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)The result could also give Nevada Democrats unified control of state government depending on Tuesday night's election results, with the party already holding majorities in both chambers of the state Legislature.
Ford will enter office with a legislative majority aligned with his agenda, although significant disagreements could remain over taxes, education spending, public safety and the state’s business climate.Ford repeatedly criticized Lombardo for aligning himself with President Donald Trump and national Republicans.He argued that Nevada needed a governor who would challenge the administration on federal funding, immigration and voting rights while focusing on the state’s cost-of-living crisis.The Republican incumbent defended his record on public safety, education, economic development and government spending.
Lombardo argued that his administration had increased education funding, expande...