LAS VEGAS, NV – Nevada Governor joe Lombardo formally announced his reelection campaign Monday, emphasizing a focus on economic opportunity, education, and public safety while framing the upcoming election as a choice between his record of “results” and a return too Democratic policies he argues would harm the state.
Speaking to members of Laborers Union Local 872 at his former high school, Ranch High School in North Las Vegas, Lombardo positioned himself as a pragmatic leader focused on delivering for ”everyday Nevadans.” He acknowledged the frequent clashes with the Democratic-controlled state legislature, highlighted by a record 87 vetoes at the close of the 85th regular session in June – a number he called “proof of bad government” despite stating he would “not hesitate for a second to say no again.”
Lombardo touted Nevada’s position as a top state for private investment, leading to increased opportunity and paychecks for families. However, he acknowledged the state’s unemployment rate of 5.4%, second-highest nationally behind California’s 5.5%, and pledged continued investment in workforce training to address vacant jobs.
Education was a key focus of the roughly 20-minute speech, with Lombardo advocating for increased funding, updated curriculum, and expanded charter school options. He notably avoided detailed discussion of immigration, including his previous veto of Assembly Bill 217, which aimed to limit ICE access to public school grounds. Former President Trump was mentioned only once,in relation to Lombardo’s support for selling public land to increase housing availability.
The governor also underscored his “tough-on-crime” stance and commitment to improving healthcare and housing affordability, citing over $1 billion in bonding authority authorized under his leadership to support the progress of over 5,500 rental homes and assist over 3,300 new homeowners.
Lombardo concluded with a direct warning to voters, asserting that a Democratic takeover in Carson City would lead to “higher taxes, fewer jobs, boys in girls sports, and more soft-on-crime laws.”
