A longtime Nevada lobbyist and the aunt of Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Laxalt is endorsing Democratic candidate Aaron Ford in the race for attorney general.

Neena Laxalt, the daughter of former Nevada Gov. and Sen. Paul Laxalt, announced Thursday that she was endorsing Ford, the state Senate majority leader, in his bid for attorney general — the office Laxalt currently holds.

"I'm proud to endorse Aaron Ford for Attorney General," Neena Laxalt said in a statement. "I've long respected Aaron and strongly believe he has the background for what our state needs in its next attorney general: qualified, highly intelligent, sophisticated, extremely educated and well-informed on the most crucial issues facing our state. I know Aaron is a good family man and will uphold the values that Nevadans hold dear, protect our families and communities and stand up for what's right."

In an interview, Neena Laxalt said the decision to endorse Ford over his Republican opponent, former Assemblyman Wes Duncan, came after he declined to renounce an endorsement from embattled Storey County Sheriff Gerald Antinoro, who has been accused of sexual harassment and is currently being sued by a former deputy.

"I will say the tipping point for me was Sheriff Antinoro, period," she said.

Neena Laxalt left the Republican Party in 2014 and changed her voting registration to nonpartisan. She and six other members of the Laxalt family vocally supported Democrat Ross Miller over Adam Laxalt in the 2014 attorney general's race.

She said while she did not support Adam Laxalt's gubernatorial campaign, she was still mulling over whether or not to publicly endorse the Democratic candidate, Steve Sisolak.

Adam Laxalt is the son of Michelle Laxalt — Neena Laxalt's sister — and the late New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici, but the circumstances of his birth remained secret until 2013.