Joe Lombardo | Nevada Governor 2026

Overview: The "Veto Governor"

Joe Lombardo is Nevada's 31st Governor and the only Republican challenger to unseat a sitting Democratic governor in 2022.[6]2022 election results His governorship is defined by an unprecedented use of the veto—162 bills blocked across two legislative sessions[7]Nevada Independent Veto Tracker—and a close financial relationship with hotel magnate Robert Bigelow, who contributed over $25 million to his election.[8]AP News, Nevada Independent

The Case FOR Lombardo

Effective firewall against Democratic legislative agenda
"Law and order" experience from 26 years in policing
Signed historic $2B K-12 education funding increase
Signed SB131 codifying abortion protections (cross-party pragmatism)
Navigated state through cyberattack recovery

The Case AGAINST Lombardo

Deep dependency on single donor (Bigelow) who benefits from his vetoes
"Free market" rhetoric contradicted by $710M in corporate subsidies
Nevada leads nation in unemployment during his term
Created dark money vehicle (Service First Fund) for political attacks
Ethics violation for using sheriff badge in campaign

Biography

1962

Born in Sapporo, Japan

Born to U.S. Air Force veteran father. Military upbringing shaped hierarchical worldview.

1976

Family Settles in Las Vegas

Graduated from Rancho High School (1980).

1980-1986

U.S. Army Service

Including Nevada National Guard and Army Reserve. Six years of military discipline.

1988

Joins LVMPD

Begins 26-year career with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

1996-2011

Rises Through Ranks

Sergeant (1996) → Lieutenant (2001) → Captain (2006) → Assistant Sheriff (2011).

2014

Elected Sheriff

Becomes head of nation's largest sheriff's department by jurisdiction.

October 1, 2017

Route 91 Mass Shooting

Became national face of response. 60 killed, 400+ wounded. Controversial investigation timeline.

2022

Elected Governor

Defeats incumbent Steve Sisolak. Only Republican to flip a governor seat in 2022.

Education

• B.S. Civil Engineering, UNLV
• M.S. Crisis Management, UNLV
• FBI National Academy, 227th Session (2006)

Engineering background suggests systems-oriented thinking—focused on structure and efficiency over abstract policy theory.

Policy Record

The Veto Record

75

Vetoes in 2023 Session

87

Vetoes in 2025 Session (Record)

Key Vetoes by Category

Category	Bill	What It Would Have Done	Who Benefits from Veto
Housing	SB335	Stay evictions, reform summary eviction process	Corporate landlords, Bigelow (Budget Suites)
Housing	AB486	Prevent evictions during pending rental assistance	Corporate landlords
Consumer	AB44	Ban price-fixing of housing, food, medicine	Corporate landlords, retailers
Guns	AB105	Prohibit firearms at polling places	Gun rights advocates
Guns	AB245	Raise age for semi-automatic weapons to 21	Gun rights advocates
LGBTQ+	Shield Law	Protect gender-affirming care providers	Conservative base
Voting	AB534	Election administration reforms	"Election integrity" movement
Transparency	SB60	Require disclosure of inaugural donors	Dark money donors

Sources: Nevada Independent Veto Tracker

What He Signed

Oakland A's Stadium (SB1) — $380M

Public financing package using transferable tax credits and county bonds to relocate the Oakland Athletics. Opposed by "Schools Over Stadiums" coalition who argued funds should go to education (Nevada ranks 48th in per-pupil funding).

Beneficiaries: A's ownership (John Fisher), Strip resorts, construction unions

Tesla Tax Abatement — $330M

Continuation and expansion of tax breaks for Tesla's Gigafactory in Northern Nevada.

Note: "Free market" rhetoric vs. $330M in corporate welfare

Resort Corridor Court Revival

Specialized court for Strip crimes with "Order Out" provisions banning individuals from tourist corridor for up to a year. ACLU argues it criminalizes homelessness and violates right to travel.

Beneficiaries: Casino industry, Strip property owners

SB500 — $2B K-12 Funding Increase

Historic investment in public education (2023). Credit: Pragmatic acceptance of education needs.

SB131 — Abortion Protections

Signed bill codifying abortion rights despite personal "pro-life" stance. Cross-party pragmatism.

Immigration Enforcement & Cooperation

Nevada's immigrant population—one in five residents—makes up roughly 9% of the workforce while generating $20.2 billion in economic output, intensifying the stakes for any enforcement shift.[IMM1]Immigration systems analysis

Lombardo responded by aligning Nevada with Department of Justice enforcement priorities: removing the state from the sanctuary list, authorizing the National Guard to provide ICE support, and approving federal funds for detention infrastructure while expanding jail notifications through 287(g) partnerships.[IMM2]Candidate immigration analysis

Key Moves

• Signed the DOJ memorandum removing Nevada from the sanctuary-designated list.
• Authorized Guard support for ICE and approved FEMA funds for detention upgrades.
• Vetoed bills like AB 217 that would have limited cooperation with ICE near schools.

The Tension

Campaigning on enforcement while the state's economy depends on immigrant labor facing stricter cooperation policies.

Environment & Energy Record

Water Conservation

• AB 220 (2023): Empowers SNWA to restrict single-family water use to 163K gallons/year[E1]Backed by Sierra Club, Great Basin Water Network
• May 2023: Joined AZ/CA governors on 3M acre-foot Colorado River conservation plan
• SB 6 (2025): Funded cloud seeding program (~56K acre-feet annually)
• Dec 2025: Urged seven-state agreement in letter to Interior Secretary

Climate Alliance Exit

• July 5, 2023: Withdrew Nevada from U.S. Climate Alliance[E2]Nevada Conservation League statement
• Only governor elected in 2022 to exit the coalition
• EO 2023-007: "Balanced" energy policy explicitly prioritizing natural gas
• Appointed fossil fuel lobbyist Dwayne McClinton (Southwest Gas) to energy office[E3]Governor's Office of Energy

Lithium Mining: Strong Advocate

Called Thacker Pass Nevada's "long-term economic salvation." Supports "Lithium Loop" concept—Nevada is the only state with complete lithium lifecycle from mining to recycling.[E4]September 2025 Lithium Summit

NV Energy & Rooftop Solar

PUC appointees approved new $20-30/month demand charges on rooftop solar customers (September 2025). Supports Greenlink Nevada transmission project ($4.2B).

Campaign finance: Received $40,000 bundled from NV Energy (2022), $10K+ from Southwest Gas

Climate Science Skepticism

Vetoed SB 169 (2023) claiming "there is no data definitively supporting the proposition that development is causing rising temperatures"—despite Las Vegas and Reno being the two fastest-warming U.S. cities.[E5]Veto message

Also vetoed: SB 76 (PFAS "forever chemicals" ban), AB 97 (refrigerant transition)—twice.

Full analysis: Water, Energy & Environment Issue Page

Healthcare Record

Medicaid Defense

Unexpectedly defended Medicaid expansion against his own party's federal cuts.

• Feb 2025: Warned Congress rollback could cost Nevada $590M–$3.15B[HC1]Letter to Congress
• Budget proposes Medicaid rate increases for physicians, dentists, nursing homes
• $200M children's behavioral health investment via Medicaid over 3 years

Rural Healthcare Leadership

Most comprehensive rural healthcare proposals of any candidate.

• SB495: $25M annual Workforce Access Fund[HC2]Nevada Healthcare Access Act
• Applied for $200M/year in federal Rural Health Transformation funds
• Signed SB97, SB312 (2025) expanding tribal healthcare

Opioid Policy: Enforcement Focus

SB457 (Safe Streets): Introduced mandatory minimums for fentanyl trafficking. Requires correctional facilities to work with DHHS on treatment programs.[HC3]Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act

Gap: No statements supporting harm reduction measures (naloxone access, fentanyl test strips, syringe services).

Mental Health Infrastructure

Built statewide 988 crisis system. Created Office of Mental Health within Nevada Health Authority.

• SB237 (2023): 35-cent cell phone surcharge generating $15M/year for 988
• AB135: Required 988 numbers on all student IDs
• Approved $10M for 988 call center expansion

Key Contradictions

Vetoed AB265 & AB201 (2023)—mental health consortium and children's behavioral health oversight bills—despite mental health investment priorities. Alleged opioid fund diversion: Critics charge $10M in settlement dollars went to TANF and foster care rather than direct addiction treatment.[HC4]Ryan Hampton criticism

Received $80K+ pharmaceutical donations after vetoing AB250 (prescription drug price caps)—vs. ~$11K during 2022 campaign.

Full analysis: Healthcare Issue Page

Cost of Living Record

Utility Consumer Protections

• AB452 (2025): Signed utility customer refund bill for billing mistakes[COL4]Nevada Conservation League praised bill
• Nevada Conservation League: shifts "responsibility for skyrocketing fuel costs away from hardworking Nevadans"

Industry-Connected Appointees

• Signed SB417 (2025): Alternative ratemaking for Southwest Gas—criticized by consumer advocates
• Appointed Randy Brown to PUCN, who amended order requiring ratepayers to cover $5.75M in NV Energy employee bonuses despite incomplete targets

Childcare: Tax Credits Proposed, Bills Vetoed

2025 State of the State: Called for "targeted tax credits for child care facilities." His SB461 proposed up to $12M annually for building childcare facilities—but failed to advance in legislature.

• Vetoed AB185 (2025): Would have prohibited HOAs from banning licensed home-based childcare[COL5]Veto message: "erode integrity of HOA governance"
• Vetoed AB388: Paid family and medical leave—cited "business-friendly environment"

Minimum Wage: No Direct Statements

Research found no direct public statements on Nevada's $12/hour minimum wage or potential increases. Labor advocates express concern he "could easily block any proposed increase" based on veto record. Position inferred from business-friendly philosophy rather than stated.

Key Contradictions

States "expanding access to child care is an important goal" yet vetoed bills that would expand access. Signed utility refund bill while appointing industry-connected officials to PUCN and Governor's Office of Energy.

Full analysis: Cost of Living Issue Page

Gun Control Record

Six Gun Safety Vetoes (2023-2025)

Lombardo has vetoed every gun safety bill passed by the Democratic-controlled legislature:

2023 Vetoes:

• SB 171: Prohibited firearms at polling places
• AB 354: Strengthened ghost gun regulations
• AB 355: Raised semi-automatic purchase age to 21

2025 Vetoes:

• AB 105: Prohibited firearms within 100 feet of polling places
• AB 245: Prohibited under-21 from possessing semi-automatic weapons
• SB 89: Prohibited hate crime convicts from possessing firearms

Stated Rationales

• Constitutional concerns: Cites 2nd Amendment for most vetoes
• Hunting impact: Claims age restrictions harm young hunters
• Redundancy: Claims existing laws already address issues

What He Did Sign

• SB 294 (2023): Requires dealers to provide gun locks and post safe storage notices[GUN9]Lombardo gun vetoes
• Has not moved to repeal existing background check or red flag laws

Key Contradiction

Lombardo vetoes measures supported by 69% of Republicans, 69% of CCW permit holders, and 68% of gun owners (Everytown polling on age 21 for semi-automatics). Was Clark County Sheriff during the October 1, 2017 Route 91 shooting—the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Full analysis: Gun Control & Safety Issue Page

Campaign Finance: The Money Trail

⚠️

The Bigelow Dependency

Robert Bigelow, owner of Budget Suites of America (extended-stay motels serving low-income Nevadans), contributed over $25 million to pro-Lombardo PACs in 2022. Total spending across all recipients exceeded $47 million.

The Conflict Loop

Bigelow's business model depends on ability to quickly evict tenants
Lombardo vetoes every eviction protection bill (SB335, AB486)
Lombardo vetoes rent stabilization and price-fixing bans (AB44)
Lombardo appoints former corporate housing lobbyist as Chief of Staff

Sources: AP News, Nevada Independent

Gaming Industry Donors

MGM Resorts

$300K+

Boyd Gaming

$150K

Fertitta/Station

$110K

Caesars

$100K

Note: Resort Corridor Court and A's Stadium deal directly benefit these donors. Source

Dark Money: The Service First Fund

Lombardo established his "Nevada Inaugural Committee" as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit—a structure that does not require donor disclosure. Post-inauguration, this was rebranded as the "Service First Fund" and began running attack ads against Democratic legislators.

Why This Matters

• Allows corporations to fund political attacks anonymously
• Lombardo vetoed SB60, which would have required disclosure
• If entities with state contracts donated, it would constitute pay-to-play

Nevada Independent Investigation

The Contradictions

"Free Market" vs. Corporate Subsidies

Says: Supports free market principles, low regulation, "The Nevada Way."
Does: Approved $380M for A's stadium + $330M for Tesla = $710M+ in public money for private corporations.

His "free market" applies to labor and tenants. Capital gets state intervention.

"Transparency" vs. Dark Money

Says: Governance should be transparent and accountable.
Does: Created Service First Fund dark money vehicle. Vetoed SB60 (inaugural donor disclosure). Sued to hide government emails from public records requests.

"Pro-Life" vs. Signing Abortion Protections

Says: Personally pro-life.
Does: Signed SB131 codifying abortion protections.

Analysis: This is pragmatic adaptation to Nevada's electorate, not hypocrisy. Credit for cross-party governance.

"Law and Order" vs. $19M in Settlements

Says: Ran on law enforcement credentials, public safety.
Record: Under his LVMPD command, department paid nearly $19 million in civil rights settlements in a single reporting period.

Source

"Badge Gate" Ethics Violation

The Issue: Used sheriff's badge and uniform in campaign materials—prohibited by Nevada ethics law.
His Response: Counter-sued the Ethics Commission, challenged its constitutionality.
Resolution: Settled in 2025, admitted "non-willful" violation, paid $5,000 penalty (down from potential $1.6M).

Used Legal Defense Fund (donor money) to pay lawyers fighting ethics charges about his campaign.

Influence Network

Inner Circle

Ryan Cherry — Chief of Staff

Former lobbyist for National Apartment Management LLC (corporate landlord). Direct representative of housing industry at helm of Governor's office.

Conflict of Interest

Robert Bigelow — Primary Financier

Budget Suites owner. $25M+ in donations. UFO research enthusiast.

Better Nevada PAC

Primary outside group supporting Lombardo. Attack ads, astroturfing campaigns.

Key Relationships

Interest Group	Policy Output
Corporate Landlords	Vetoes of all tenant protection bills
Gaming Industry	Resort Corridor Court, A's Stadium
Construction	Stadium construction, infrastructure
Charter Schools	$38M teacher raises, voucher push
Police Unions	Qualified immunity protection

2026 Electoral Assessment

Path to Victory

1. Hold the rurals — Win "Cow Counties" by 70%+ margins
2. Win Washoe — Flip Reno back to GOP column
3. Define the opponent — Brand Ford as "Soft on Crime" (AB 236) and "Corrupt" (IRS liens, donors)
4. Suburban moderates — Emphasize abortion signature, economic pragmatism

Key Vulnerabilities

• Unemployment: Nevada leads nation—hard to campaign on economic record
• Housing: If evictions spike, vetoes become liability
• Bigelow Dependency: "Landlord's Governor" attack line
• Dark Money: If Service First Fund donors leak, potential scandal

Current Polling

Lombardo 41% — Ford 41% (Emerson College, November 2024)

18-23% undecided. Race will be decided by suburban Clark County and Washoe County moderates.