Aaron
D. Ford

Newsom endorsed Ford at a Las Vegas Democratic Party event, as reported in later coverage from July 2026.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris congratulated and endorsed Ford following his June primary victory, saying 'Nevadans deserve a governor who will fight every day to lower costs and protect their fundamental freedoms.'

The Deseret News reported that Nevada may defy national Democratic trends, with Lombardo holding leads in polling and Trump helping Republican congressional candidates in the state.

Ford appeared on KTVN's Face the State program to discuss his campaign and the Nevada governor's race.

Ford appeared alone at the League of Women Voters forum in Northern Nevada and alleged that Republicans had tried to cancel the candidate forum altogether, while Lombardo's campaign had declined the invitation.

The California Globe reported that Nevada AG Aaron Ford traveled to Santa Monica to attend a fundraiser hosted by former Vice President Kamala Harris for his gubernatorial campaign.

Fox News reported that Ford, as attorney general, had supported parole for dozens of convicted criminals including those described as a 'thrill killer' and 'desert executioner,' intensifying the controversy over his criminal justice record.

Nevada Public Radio/PBS aired a Nevada Week segment featuring Ford discussing his gubernatorial campaign, including a pledge to issue an 'affordability emergency' on his first day as governor.

The California Globe reported ongoing criticism of Ford for sponsoring the Pardons Board clemency hearing for Norman Smith, convicted in the killing of pregnant Tinesha Adams.

Lombardo declined the League of Women Voters' invitation to a Northern Nevada forum. The event was briefly in doubt after a Republican assemblymember withdrew the room sponsorship, but the forum proceeded with Ford answering questions alone.

The California Globe reported that Ford held out-of-state fundraising events in New Orleans, New York, Dallas, and Charleston during September, noting one New York event was canceled.

KTVN published a reality check on Ford's sponsorship of Norman Smith's appearance before the Pardons Board, examining conflicting accounts of his role.

The California Globe reported that out-of-state Democratic figures and groups had contributed more than $1 million to support Ford's gubernatorial bid.

A Noble Predictive Insights poll showed Lombardo leading Ford 42% to 40% among likely voters, with independent Danielle Ford at 7%. The two-point gap was within the 3.68-point margin of error.

The Nevada Independent reported that Ford's campaign was leveraging social media influencers as a key weapon in the governor's race outreach strategy.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported no indication that Lombardo and Ford would debate before Election Day. Ford's campaign said he accepted two proposed debates; Lombardo's campaign had not accepted the invitations described.

Mail ballots began going out the week of October 5. In-person early voting was announced to begin October 17, with Election Day on November 3.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a fundraiser for Ford in Santa Monica, California, as reported by the California Globe.

In a Q&A interview, Ford said he opposed a voter-ID initiative, supported enshrining reproductive freedom in the Nevada constitution, and said his budget would prioritize education.

Gov. Lombardo posted on X attacking Ford's claim of being tough on crime, referencing Ford's sponsorship of a clemency hearing for Norman Smith.

Planned Parenthood Votes announced a $1.2 million outside-group investment in the Nevada governor's race, including mail, digital, and field activity supporting Ford and criticizing Lombardo.

Attorney General Aaron Ford issued a statement commemorating the ninth anniversary of the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting.

The Nevadan reported on the ongoing controversy over Ford's Pardons Board sponsorship, noting Ford's denial that he sought a pardon for Norman Smith.

At a town hall in his 'Affordable Nevada' series, Ford discussed reducing costs, making health care and housing more accessible, and creating economic opportunities.

Politico Playbook reported Democrats with potential 2028 presidential ambitions had given or raised more than $1 million for Ford, including Newsom fundraising and a $250,000 contribution from Andy Beshear's PAC supporting the pro-Ford group Forward Nevada.

Ford issued a statement blaming tariffs supported by Lombardo and Trump for causing 19 consecutive months of tourism decline in Nevada.

KLAS reported conflicting accounts between Ford's office and a prosecutor's letter regarding Ford's role in sponsoring Norman Smith's clemency hearing.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported uncertainty about whether Lombardo and Ford would hold a head-to-head debate, with Ford's campaign saying he accepted two proposed debates and Lombardo's campaign not having accepted invitations.

A survey conducted September 5–8 and released September 10 showed Ford narrowly ahead of Lombardo at 44% to 42%, within the poll's margin of error.

Ford's office stated that sponsoring a Pardons Board hearing is a procedural step to allow review, not an indication of support for clemency. His campaign said he would have voted against clemency. Lombardo and Republicans used the issue as a campaign attack.

Reporting noted Ford was avoiding detailed questions about his role in sponsoring the clemency hearing for Norman Smith, whose case involved the killing of a pregnant woman.

Ford issued a statement addressing record-high diesel and crushing gas prices in Nevada as part of his campaign messaging on affordability.

Ford sponsored a clemency application for Norman Smith, convicted in the killing of pregnant woman Tinesha Adams. The Pardons Board denied the request. Ford was absent from the meeting. A prosecutor's letter said Ford agreed to put the case on the agenda without promising a favorable vote.

The Retail Association endorsed Ford, highlighting his opposition to Trump tariffs and their economic impact on Nevada.

Second-quarter campaign finance reports showed Ford with approximately $2.6 million cash on hand compared to Lombardo's roughly $9.2 million.

Ford won the Democratic primary for Nevada governor with 63% of the party's vote, becoming the Democratic nominee on the November ballot.