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
Vetoes in 2023 Session
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.
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
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
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.
"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 InterestRobert 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.