Nevada’s Attorney General Seeks To Become The State’s First Black Governor While Reclaiming The Office For Democrats: Who Is Aaron Ford?

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford has captured the Democratic nomination for governor, setting up a historic bid to become the state’s first Black governor.

Following his primary victory, Ford, 54, is moving into a high-stakes general election matchup against Republican incumbent Governor Joe Lombardo. This election represents a significant milestone in Nevada’s political history, where working-class voters often shape the final outcome.

Who Is Aaron Ford?

Background: Born in Dallas, Texas, on May 24, 1972, Ford grew up in a working-class household. In his early twenties, he was a single father who relied on food stamps and Medicaid while working his way through school.

Academic Achievement: He holds five degrees. This includes a law degree (J.D.) and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from The Ohio State University.

Early Career: Before entering law and politics, he spent time working as a public school math teacher. He later transitioned into private legal practice as a partner at major law firms in Las Vegas.

Nevada State Senate (2013–2019): Ford represented Nevada’s 11th district in the state legislature. During his tenure, he rose to the ranks of both Minority Leader and Senate Majority Leader.

A Historic Path in Nevada Politics

Ford is no stranger to breaking barriers in the Silver State. In 2019, he became the first African American to hold a statewide constitutional office in Nevada history upon taking office as Attorney General.

His rise through Nevada politics follows an unlikely path. Raised in Texas, Ford grew up in a low-income household, relied on a federal program to attend college, and navigated life as a single father using food stamps and public housing in his early 20s. He later earned five degrees, including a Ph.D. in education and a law degree, before working as a public school math teacher and serving as Nevada’s Senate Majority Leader.

The Core of His Campaign Platform

Ford’s campaign positions and his compelling personal history were an an asset in his race to win the attorney general’s race, allowing him to connect with everyday Nevadans, many of whom are facing financial pressures. At the forefront of his platform is an “affordable Nevada plan” designed to combat the rising cost of living. His campaign goals include:

• Lowering Everyday Expenses: Focus areas include reducing medical debt, lowering prescription drug costs, and tackling high utility and gas prices.
• Housing Affordability: Pledges to push back against corporate homeownership and block out-of-state Wall Street firms from buying local real estate.
• Labor and Wages: Vows to legislatively repeal Nevada’s long-standing “right-to-work” law to strengthen labor unions and boost worker wages.
• Education and Public Safety: Priorities focus on strengthening funding for public education and continuing consumer protection efforts.

The General Election Matchup

The upcoming election is expected to draw immense national attention and funding, as Democrats view Nevada as a premier opportunity to flip a governor’s seat. However, Ford faces a challenging path. Recent polling from conservative polling entities revealed this summer showed Lombardo holding a stable lead in a race backed by a heavily funded $20 million Republican advertising campaign.

But non-partisan polling has shown the race to be tied at 44%.

Ford’s campaign has begun its push on the airwaves, focusing on his track record of securing over $1.1 billion in settlements from pharmaceutical companies during the opioid crisis. While his opponents criticize his tenure as overly partisan, Ford maintains that his background as a fighter for the working class will help voters achieve their own version of the American dream.