Nevada is set to have one of nation's premier races for governor as Democrats seek to reclaim seat

By — Jessica Hill, Associated Press Jessica Hill, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/nevada-is-set-to-have-one-of-nations-premier-races-for-governor-as-democrats-seek-to-reclaim-seat Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Nevada is set to have one of nation's premier races for governor as Democrats seek to reclaim seat Politics Jun 10, 2026 4:28 PM EDT LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, will face Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford in a battle to hold onto his seat in November, setting up what is considered one of the most competitive governor's races in the country. Both won their party's nominations Tuesday as Nevada held primaries for several key offices, including a swing congressional seat in the Las Vegas area where the GOP nominated Marty O'Donnell, a composer known for writing the soundtrack to the video game "Halo," to face Democratic Rep. Susie Lee in November. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. The voting came as Nevada grapples with an affordable housing shortage, exploding energy demand from data centers and federal cuts to key state programs. The state has a closed primary, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans voted in party contests after an effort to open them failed in 2024. READ MORE: Live Results: Nevada midterm primaries Several primaries featured matchups between candidates backed by party leaders and political outsiders promising change. Come November, the governor's race is considered one of the most competitive in the country, and holding on to the 3rd Congressional District is considered crucial for Democrats' hope of retaking the U.S. House. Here is a look at the most prominent races: Economy, rising prices set to dominate governor's race Lomardo is considered one of the most vulnerable governors in the country this fall as both parties expect Democrats to do well nationwide. Ford, who had the backing of the Democratic congressional delegation and former Vice President Kamala Harris, beat Alexis Hill, a county commissioner in northern Nevada, in his party's primary. Ford and Hill focused their campaigns on affordability, as the state continues to see a shortage of affordable housing, some of the highest gas prices in the country and cuts to federal healthcare and food assistance programs. READ MORE: GOP primary for U.S. House seat and Democratic governors race among Nevada's key contests Ford argued that both the governor and President Donald Trump are responsible for Nevadans' economic woes. At his victory party, he promised to lower costs for families. "This is all about strengthening the working class," he said. "And we will once again be a state where you can afford to live your own version of the American dream." Lombardo did not comment after the race was called, and his campaign referred inquiries t