As forecasted by Nevada's top political commentators, Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) has confirmed his intention to run for governor in 2026. Ford is known for his progressive stance on criminal justice reform, which differs significantly from the policies of the current Governor, Joe Lombardo (R), who previously served as Clark County Sheriff before defeating Democrat Steve Sisolak in the last gubernatorial election.

Ford has served as Nevada's Attorney General since 2019. Before this, he was a state senator, where he served in leadership roles, including as both Majority and Minority Leader. 

Ford told the Las Vegas Review-Journal:

I do intend to seek higher office, and I have been having informal conversations with people across the state to better understand what they believe Nevada needs in its next governor. These discussions are an important part of determining how I can best serve our state.

As news broke of Ford's intended candidacy, he announced on Thursday that his office refiled criminal charges against six Republicans labeled as "fake electors." The initial case, filed last year, was dismissed by a judge in Las Vegas due to improper venue. The new charges have now been filed in Carson City, the state capital, where the electors convened in 2020. 

Ford said in a statement:

While we disagree with the finding of improper venue and will continue to seek to overturn it, we are preserving our legal rights in order to ensure that these fake electors do not escape justice.

In an ironic twist, since President-elect Donald Trump won Nevada in this year's election, some of the Republicans facing charges for their role as "fake electors" in 2020 will be casting official electoral votes for Trump on Tuesday as part of the Electoral College process.

Ford and Lombardo's campaigns promise contrasting approaches not only on criminal justice and public safety but also in their perspectives on collaborating with the incoming Trump administration.

Following Trump's reelection, Ford released a statement in resistance to the incoming Trump administration’s mass deportation plan:

My hope is that the next four years pass by peacefully; that these concerns are unfounded; and that Trump oversees an administration that does not vilify communities that have been targets of hateful animus. But make no mistake, my office stands ready for the alternative, and we will be a bulwark against any effort to impose unconstitutional mandates, override our system of checks and balances, or intrude upon the rights of any Nevada resident.

Attorney General @AaronDFordNV issues a post-election statement for Nevada. pic.twitter.com/JhY2p54uhZ

— NV Attorney General (@NevadaAG) November 18, 2024

Alternatively, Gov. Lombardo has signed onto a letter with 25 other Republican governors committing to support Trump's plans for mass deportations of illegal immigrants:

Republican governors remain fully committed to supporting the Trump Administration’s efforts to deport dangerous criminals, gang members, and terrorists who are in this country illegally. We understand the direct threat these criminal illegal immigrants pose to public safety and our national security, and we will do everything in our power to assist in removing them from our communities.
 
Together, we will continue to defend the American people, uphold the rule of law, and ensure our nation remains safe and secure for future generations. We stand ready to utilize every tool at our disposal—whether through state law enforcement or the National Guard—to support President Trump in this vital mission.

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As a silver lining in the Silver State, the 2026 gubernatorial election offers Nevada's electorate a true choice between opposing policies and candidates. This election will not only define the immediate future of Nevada but also set a precedent for how the state addresses critical issues like criminal justice, public safety, and state-federal relations amid Trump's return to the White House.