‘Finish what we started’: Nevada governor launches re-election bid for 2026

Summary

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo officially launched his 2026 re-election campaign at Rancho High School — the same site he launched his first bid and delivered his victory speech in 2021. Framing his pitch as an opportunity to “finish what we started,” Lombardo highlighted accomplishments like the $200m Campus for Hope for homelessness services, a $130m attainable housing fund, and historic use of veto power to block legislation he called irresponsible. He stressed education, school safety, workforce training and tougher crime laws as priorities for a second term.

Key Points

Lombardo launched his campaign Sept. 15 at Rancho High School and asked Nevadans to “decide Nevada’s future together.”
He touted achievements: $200m Campus for Hope, a $130m attainable housing fund, stronger school-safety measures and increased education funding.
Lombardo has vetoed more bills than any Nevada governor before him (he cited 160 vetoes) and positions himself as a check on a Democratic-majority Legislature.
Major priorities for a second term include workforce training, tougher penalties for crimes like “smash-and-grab” thefts, and efforts to change the Legislature’s makeup to pass his agenda.
The 2026 gubernatorial race is rated a toss-up by Cook Political Report; Lombardo is considered one of the more vulnerable Republican incumbents in 2026 despite a 53% approval rating in a July Morning Consult poll.
Democratic challengers already include Attorney General Aaron Ford and Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill; Ford has criticised Lombardo on housing, jobs and affordability.

Why should I read this?

Short version: if you care about Nevada politics (and the 2026 midterms ripple nationally), this race matters. Lombardo won a purple state by a hair in 2022 and is running again from a position that could flip control of key state policy areas. This piece saves you time — it lays out what he’s proud of, what he’s failed to get through, who’s lined up to run against him and why the race is already a toss-up. Worth a quick read if you want the politics headlines without wading through every speech.