From abortion to taxes: Where Nevada's 2026 governor candidates stand on the issues

As Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) and Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) seek the highest office in the state, they've outlined contrasting visions for Nevada and sparred in the media.

Though the two have differences of opinion on topics such as "right-to-work" and voter identification laws, there are some overlaps between the two candidates on education policy and resetting property taxes in a way that would increase revenue.

Below, we outline the candidates' stances on top issues affecting voters. This list is far from comprehensive and will be updated as Election Day approaches.

Click the subheadings to jump to a specific topic:

Should Nevada's "right-to-work" law be repealed?

Ford: Yes. Ford said that if elected governor, he would get rid of Nevada's long-standing "right-to-work" law, which prohibits labor unions and employers from requiring union membership for employment. Labor organizations have criticized such laws for allowing non-dues-paying workers to "freeload" off union-won benefits. They have also said the policy is designed to limit labor unions' power, curtail workers' rights and worsen benefits and wages.

Lombardo: No. Lombardo recently said he supports the policy and would not want to eliminate it. Previously, he called the system a benefit to the state's labor community. Broadly, supporters of "right-to-work" laws have said workers shouldn't be compelled to join any organization as a condition of holding a job, and that it can harm economic efficiency and drive up employers' costs.

Should there be a law requiring data centers to provide their own power and not cost-shift to ratepayers?

Ford: Yes. Ford's campaign said the attorney general has been clear that he will not allow data centers to raise costs on Nevadans. "Not only does he support a law requiring data centers to provide their own power — he plans to introduce legislation to do so," the campaign wrote in a statement.

Lombardo: Lombardo's campaign did not give a direct yes or no answer but said that the state already has strong measures in place to shield ratepayers from burdening the costs associated with data centers. The campaign added the state has the ability to set general guidance on how data centers acquire power through the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada processes. "If a company seeks abatements, we can establish additional specific requirements through GOED (Governor's Office of Economic Development) which could include, among other things, a net benefit to residential power customers via a community benefits agreement," the campaign said.

Should Nevada increase K-12 funding to the national average?

Ford: Yes. Ford wants to increase education funding to raise the state's per-pupil spending to the national average — a roughly $2 billion expenditure — but is not open to adding new taxes. He has said he'd like to grow the tax base by attracting more businesses from the financial and high-tax sectors as a way to diversify the economy, though he has not outlined specifics beyond that. He has also said he wants to find savings by rooting out fraud, waste and abuse that's taking place in government, but experts have indicated there's likely not enough there to fill the gap.

Lombardo: The campaign did not give a direct yes or no answer. Lombardo has not made this an explicit goal, and in the past has said he's against new taxes. Governor's office spokesman Drew Galang previously stated that Lombardo has no plans to decrease education funding — the possibility of funding going down has been floated as the state sees declining enrollment — but he didn't answer whether the governor supported further increasing education funding for the next two years. 

Lombardo campaign spokeswoman Elizabeth Ray said specific proposals would be evaluated after the Economic Forum solidifies its tax revenue projections for the upcoming budget cycle and the end of the fiscal year.

Should Nevada retain third graders if they can't read at grade level?

Ford: Yes. Ford has maintained that he would not repeal a "Read by Grade 3" requirement in state law mandating that third graders will be held back starting in 2028 if they don't reach reading proficiency standards. He said it's a position he's held "pretty unequivocally," though he's open to adjustments.

Lombardo: Yes. Lombardo brought back the state policy to hold back students who haven't reached the standard by the end of third grade, reinstating the policy during the 2023 session as part of his education omnibus bill, AB400. In a June statement, representatives from his office said: "The Governor's Office does not believe mandated retention should be repealed."

Should property tax law be changed in a way that generates more revenue for the state? 

Ford: No. Ford has said he's opposed to resetting property tax values and putting more strain on Nevadans. He has often said he is not open to adding new taxes during an affordability crisis, although his team clarified in early August that he will not raise taxes period. Tweaking the state's property tax structure is one of only two funding mechanisms — sales tax is the other — that a Legislature-commissioned panel of finance experts said is broad enough to get education funding in the Silver State close to the national average.

Lombardo: No. Lombardo has opposed resetting property tax values and has consistently reiterated a pledge of no new taxes. It's a promise he's kept since his first campaign for governor. The idea of changing Nevada's property tax structure has faced heavy pushback from the real estate industry and constituents who said it could inflate housing costs, which have risen more than 30 percent in Washoe and Clark counties since the pandemic. For the past four years, the Commission on School Funding has recommended revamping property tax, along with sales tax, to resolve years of chronic education underfunding. 

Should Nevada require a photo ID to vote?

Ford: No. Ford has said there's not enough evidence that voter fraud exists in the state to justify imposing a new requirement to exercise the right to vote. He said there would have to be a compelling reason to add identification requirements to the state's voting process.

Lombardo: Yes. Lombardo publicly and financially supported a 2024 ballot question to require voter ID after legislative Democrats declined to pursue voter ID policy changes in the 2023 legislative session. The ballot question passed overwhelmingly in 2024 and needs to pass again this year before it is enacted. Lombardo said he "made a promise to voters that if the Legislature would not support the will of the people, I would take the vote directly to them."

Should the right to an abortion through 24 weeks be enshrined in the Nevada Constitution?

Ford: Yes. Ford has said that if elected governor, he is going to "ensure that Nevada itself remains a firewall, not just in name, but in practice … that means protecting abortion access, safeguarding IVF, keeping politicians out of private medical decisions."

Lombardo: The campaign did not give a direct yes or no answer. Lombardo said that even though he would personally support a 15-week cutoff, abortion rights are codified in state law and should be left up to Nevada voters. 

Should Nevada limit the number of homes a corporation can purchase?

Ford: Yes. On his campaign website, Ford has said he will "limit corporate investors buying single family homes and crack down on predatory landlords."

Lombardo: The campaign did not give a direct yes or no answer. Lombardo vetoed a bill to cap corporate ownership in 2023, then reportedly blocked a 2025 effort that would have imposed even stricter limits. A bill to limit corporate home purchases to 1,000 units in total died in the Legislature late last year after a bipartisan group of lawmakers added it to the special session agenda. 

The governor said in a January statement he has been developing a working group to address the issue at the state level. Lombardo spokesperson Elizabeth Ray has told The Indy that the governor supports President Donald Trump's efforts to stop corporate investors from buying up single-family homes. 

Felony charges kick in when at least $1,200 is stolen. Should that dollar threshold be lower? 

Ford: No. As attorney general, Ford testified in support of a 2019 bill, AB236, that implemented criminal justice reforms, including raising Nevada's felony theft threshold from $650 to $1,200. He said during a bill hearing that the legislation "better aligns our resources by focusing on incarcerating violent offenders who pose a risk to public safety while helping nonviolent offenders who need treatment." The bill was, in part, aimed at curbing prison population growth.

Lombardo: Yes. In his 2025 State of the State address, Lombardo called for making Nevada's felony theft threshold harsher. He proposed lowering the threshold to $750 from $1,200, which Democrats set in 2019. He described the change as a way to restore a sense of law and order. The proposal did not succeed in the Democrat-controlled Legislature.

Should Nevada repeal the death penalty?

Ford: Yes. Ford said he would end the death penalty if the Legislature took steps to do so. "I've been unequivocal about my position on the death penalty," he said. "I am opposed to it, and I would sign the bill to repeal." Ford noted he would still carry out a death penalty case in his role as attorney general if he were required to do so.

Lombardo: No. Lombardo supports the death penalty. "I believe that it's a natural deterrent in the mindset of a criminal, and it's a solution for individuals that have committed egregious crimes against society," Lombardo said in 2021 when he announced his bid for governor.