A new poll commissioned by Washoe County Commission Chair Alexis Hill’s Democratic gubernatorial campaign shows her trailing by double digits against front-runner Attorney General Aaron Ford in the Democratic primary but with room for her underdog campaign to grow.

The survey found that 48 percent of respondents initially backed Ford, compared to 13 percent who supported Hill. But after reading positive statements about both candidates, Hill’s support doubled to 26 percent, while Ford’s was stuck at 47 percent. 

Pollster Sumati Thomas said in a memo that Hill’s numbers can improve as Democratic primary voters in the state are “eager for bold change and closely aligned with Alexis Hill’s core message on corporate accountability, economic justice, and resistance to Trump-era policies.”

The online poll of 555 Democratic primary voters, conducted by Change Research between Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, has a margin of error of 4.3 percent.

The poll results indicate that Democratic Nevada voters are desperate for economic change. 

Among those surveyed, 81 percent preferred Nevada make a “major shift in how it creates good paying jobs” by forcing “big corporations and wealthy insiders [to] pay their fair share” compared to 11 percent who preferred the state “maintain a business-friendly environment that attracts companies and creates jobs.” 

Two-thirds of those surveyed said they were feeling frustrated or angry with Nevada’s government and nearly 9 out of 10 preferred a governor who would topple the status quo rather than work within the system. 

Ford, a former Nevada Senate majority leader wrapping up his second term as attorney general, is considered the front-runner to challenge Republican incumbent Gov. Joe Lombardo in 2026. He has earned endorsements from all of the Democrats in Nevada’s congressional delegation, as well as the vast majority of those in the state Legislature. 

Hill, meanwhile, has focused on sweeping progressive policy changes, including raising taxes on corporate-owned properties, implementing temporary caps on rent, and removing opt-out options on union dues for employees in unionized workplaces. She has said billionaires should be scared of her campaign. 

Recent public polling of the race has found Lombardo and Ford either tied or a slight lead for Lombardo, with Hill typically not included as a candidate.