Who Is Running for Nevada Governor
Republican Governor Joe Lombardo and Democrat Aaron Ford are the major-party nominees for Nevada governor on November 3, 2026. Danielle Ford (No Political Party) is also on the ballot. Nevada elects its lieutenant governor separately, so a vote for governor does not pick a running mate (Ballotpedia; Nevada Constitution, Art. 5, Sec. 17).
Key facts
- The general election is November 3, 2026, and Nevada voters can register at their polling place on Election Day.
- Joe Lombardo won the Republican primary with 90.8% of the vote, and Aaron Ford won the Democratic primary with 63.3%.
- Democrats hold both chambers of the Legislature, one seat short of the two-thirds needed to override a veto in each.
- Nevada’s constitution limits a governor to two terms, so a win would be Joe Lombardo‘s last.
Joe Lombardo has been governor since January 2023 and Clark County sheriff from 2014 to 2023. Aaron Ford has been attorney general since 2019 and a former state Senate majority leader (Ballotpedia).
Candidates for Nevada governor and lieutenant governor on the November 3, 2026 ballot
Source: Ballotpedia, Nevada gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial elections, 2026, as of 2026-10-14. Other candidates: Danielle Ford (No Political Party) for governor; Janine Hansen (Independent American Party) for lieutenant governor.
Two constitutional amendments are also on the November 3 ballot, each for its second required vote. Question 6 is a right to abortion before fetal viability. Question 7 requires photo ID to vote (Ballotpedia). Our Nevada abortion laws guide covers Question 6.
Nevada Governor Primary Results
Aaron Ford won the June 9, 2026 Democratic primary with 63.3%, ahead of Alexis Hill at 23.9% (Ballotpedia). NCSL classifies Nevada’s primaries as partially open; our primary elections guide explains how each state runs them (NCSL).
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Aaron Ford | 63.3% |
| Alexis Hill | 23.9% |
| James Cooper | 3.5% |
Source: Ballotpedia, certified results. 187,818 votes cast; three other candidates and write-ins are not shown.
On the Republican side, Joe Lombardo took 90.8% of 189,634 votes against six challengers (Ballotpedia).
The 2022 Nevada Governor Result
In 2022, Joe Lombardo defeated Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak by 15,386 votes out of about 1.02 million cast.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Joe Lombardo (R) | 48.8% |
| Steve Sisolak (D) | 47.3% |
Source: Ballotpedia, certified results. Other candidates and write-ins took the rest.
That result is the most recent statewide contest for the office. It does not predict 2026, and this page carries no polls or race ratings (Ballotpedia).
The Nevada Legislature and the Veto
Democrats hold the state Senate 13 to 8 and the Assembly 27 to 15, according to Ballotpedia. A bill needs both chambers and the governor, so a governor of one party and a Legislature of the other have to agree for anything to become law.
Overriding a veto takes two-thirds of the members elected to each house: 14 senators and 28 members of the Assembly (Art. 4, Sec. 35). Democrats are one seat short in each chamber. All 42 Assembly seats and 11 of the 21 Senate seats are on the November 3 ballot, and the next regular session begins February 1, 2027 (Art. 4, Sec. 2).
What the Nevada Governor Can Do
Nevada’s governor runs the state agencies, proposes the budget, and signs or vetoes every bill. The Legislature meets in regular session only in odd-numbered years, for up to 120 days. Between sessions, the governor can call it back for a special session (Nevada Constitution).
Powers of the Nevada governor
Source: Nevada Constitution, Articles 4 and 5
How to Vote for Governor in Nevada
Register by mail or at your county clerk by October 6, 2026, online through November 3, 2026, or in person at a polling place during early voting or on Election Day. Registering in person at the polls takes a Nevada driver’s license or ID card showing your current address (NRS 293.560 and 293.5847). Check your registration on the Secretary of State’s voter site.
Nevada's 2026 governor election, step by step
- October 6, 2026 Last day to register by mail or at the county clerk Online registration stays open through Election Day.
- October 17 to October 30, 2026 Early voting You can register and vote in person at an early voting site.
- November 3, 2026 Election Day Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.. A mailed ballot must be postmarked by today.
- 5 p.m. on November 7, 2026 Last day a mailed ballot can arrive It counts only if it was postmarked by Election Day.
- January 4, 2027 Term begins The governor is sworn in for a four-year term.
A mailed ballot counts if it is postmarked by Election Day and reaches the county clerk by 5 p.m. on the fourth day after the election. You can also drop it in a ballot drop box at any polling place before polls close (NRS 293.269921).
Our 2026 governor races guide covers all 36 races on the ballot this year.
Nevada Governor Questions
Who is running for Nevada governor in 2026?
Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, who is running for a second term, and Democrat Aaron Ford, the state attorney general. Joe Lombardo won the June 9 primary with 90.8% and Aaron Ford with 63.3%. Danielle Ford (No Political Party) is also on the ballot.
Does Nevada elect its governor and lieutenant governor together?
No. Nevada elects the lieutenant governor separately, so the two can come from different parties. In 2026, Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony, a Republican, faces Democrat Sandra Jauregui.
How many terms can a Nevada governor serve?
Two. The Nevada Constitution says no one may be elected governor more than twice, so a win in 2026 would be Joe Lombardo’s last term.
Who won the 2022 Nevada governor race?
Joe Lombardo defeated Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak, 48.8% to 47.3%.
When is the deadline to register to vote in Nevada?
October 6, 2026 to register by mail or at the county clerk. Online registration stays open through Election Day, and you can also register in person at a polling place during early voting or on Election Day.
What You Can Do
- Check your registration on the Secretary of State’s voter site. If you miss October 6, 2026, you can still register online or at the polls.
- Return a mailed ballot early. It must be postmarked by November 3, or dropped in a ballot drop box before polls close.
- Look up your state senator and Assembly member with the Legislature’s district map.
- Compare the issues on the ballot in Nevada: the minimum wage, abortion laws and marijuana laws.