LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford officially declared his candidacy for governor on Monday, setting up a challenge to Republican incumbent Gov. Joe Lombardo.
Ford, a Democrat, previously confirmed his intent to run in December, but Monday marked his formal entry into the race.
WATCH: Steve Sebelius reports the latest on Attorney General Aaron Ford
"We believe that even in the face of politics that have shut us out, told us to settle for less and fought to divide us, we are still one Nevada family," Ford told a crowd of about 250 people at the East Las Vegas Community Center.
He was preceded to the stage by Reps. Steven Horsford and Dina Titus, both D-Nev., and Assemblywoman Cecilia González, D-Clark County. All told, Ford has locked up the endorsements of all the Democrats in Nevada's federal delegation, including Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen and Rep. Susie Lee.
You can watch his official announcement here:
Still, Ford may face a Democratic primary, after Washoe County Commission Chairwoman Alexis Hill announced her intention to run for governor as well. And former Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, who served from 2018 to 2022, is considering mounting a bid as well.
Ford took aim at Lombardo with remarks about preventing corporate entities from buying homes in Las Vegas, making them less affordable for locals. Lombardo urged Republicans in the state Senate to oppose Senate Bill 391, by state Sen. Dina Neal, D-Clark County, that would have limited corporations to buying 100 homes per year. As a result, the bill failed.
"I can tell you this: When that bill gets sent to me when I'm governor, I'm going to sign it," Ford said Monday. "And I'm also not going to tell the entire Senate Republican caucus to kill the bill before it can get to [the governor]. These are things that are important."
Ford stressed his own experiences growing up, the son of a Safeway produce clerk. The family once had to eat stale candy bars for dinner to make ends meet, he said.
But he said that experience instilled in him a drive for hard work that eventually led him to earn five academic degrees, including a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M, a master's degree from George Washington University, as well as a second master's, a doctorate and a law degree from Ohio State University.
"I know what it's like to feel like you're pushing a rock uphill and then fight for a better life. And families all across Nevada are feeling it, too," Ford said. "They work hard, they play by the rules, but they can't get ahead because prices are too high, jobs are too scarce, and it feels like the deck is stacked against them, because you know what? It is. And that's why I'm fighting for the kind of government that sees people like I was, and says, you matter."
Ford also pledged to lower prescription drug prices and to ensure all Nevada students have access to free breakfast and lunch.
He also cited his work as a state senator and attorney general, winning more than $1.2 billion in settlements with pharmaceutical companies, bringing in new, high-tech jobs and cracking down on fentanyl dealers and illegal "ghost guns" that lack serial numbers.
Ford was also the driving force behind Nevada's original film tax credit, meant to induce Hollywood studios to film in Nevada. A bill that would have vastly expanded that idea and resulted in a new Summerlin film studio failed to pass in the most recent session.
"Parents who struggle to make ends meet in an economy that is already rigged in favor of the wealthy need someone who understands their struggle and will fight for them," Ford said. "Because when you lived through what people are going through, you don't need to be told that things are broken, you need someone who's going to roll up their sleeves and actually fix what's broken."
Lombardo's office did not return a text seeking comment, but the Republican Governor's Association and a PAC affiliated with the governor harshly denounced Ford's bid.
“Aaron Ford is a weak on crime prosecutor who is more interested in protecting criminal illegal immigrants than hardworking Nevada families,” said RGA Rapid Response Director Kollin Crompton in a statement. “Ford has pushed for Nevada to be a sanctuary state, recommended that law enforcement not work with federal immigration officials, and weakened penalties for criminals pushing fentanyl on the streets. Nevada families’ safety and security will disappear if Aaron Ford ever becomes governor.”
And the Nevada War Room PAC criticized Ford for accepting trips from special interests, accusing him of being a "radical leftist" and denouncing his association with former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
"Aaron Ford is a corrupt politician who has spent his career pushing his dangerous woke agenda on Nevada families while enjoying the special interest-funded perks of higher office," said Better Nevada PAC spokesman John Burke. "Ford can't be trusted to keep us safe, represent the interests of Nevadans, or uphold the public's trust. With our state finally on the right track under Governor Joe Lombardo, Nevada voters will reject Ford and his radical campaign in 2026."
Ford's political career began in 2010, with an ill-fated run against then-state Sen. Joe Hardy, R-Clark County. He lost that race by more than 11,000 votes.
But Ford was elected to the state Senate two years later, representing the 11th District in Clark County. He was re-elected in 2016 and eventually rose to be the majority leader of the state Senate.
In 2018, he defeated Republican Wes Duncan by fewer than 5,000 votes statewide to become attorney general. Four years later, Ford beat Republican Sigal Chattah with 52% of the statewide vote, the largest margin of anyone running on the ballot that year.
Ford grew up in Texas. He was arrested four times while a student at Texas A&M, legal problems he disclosed while running for attorney general in 2018. The cases were all resolved without criminal convictions.
He worked as a math teacher before practicing law.
The governor's race may be Ford's most challenging to date. While Lombardo has set a record in the number of bills he's vetoed in the last two legislative sessions, he remains popular in Nevada, according to recent polls. The race will be even more difficult if Ford faces a serious primary, something Lombardo has thus far managed to avoid.
Filing for the office opens March 2.
Do you have questions about politics, elections or government? Email us using the Ask Steve link on our website.
Local News