Nevada state Treasurer Zach Conine intends to run for attorney general in 2026, telling The Nevada Independent on Tuesday that he would hold the federal government accountable for its actions and ensure that Nevadans’ rights are protected.

Conine, a Democrat, is the first major candidate to enter the open race (official candidate filing opens next year). Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat who is in his final term, launched a bid for governor in December. 

In an interview with The Indy, Conine said the state’s next attorney general will need to keep the Trump administration in check.

“We need somebody in that office who has already had their sleeves rolled up, who can, on day one, keep protecting Nevadans,” Conine said. “If there's not someone there who knows how to get the job done … Nevada is going to get hurt.”

Conine, who moved to Nevada more than two decades ago and previously worked in hospitality and finance, was elected treasurer in 2018 in a narrow victory over former Las Vegas City Councilman Bob Beers, winning by less than 1 percentage point.

He won re-election in 2022, defeating former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore in another close race (1.7 percentage points).

Prior to entering office, Conine worked as an attorney for more than a decade, attending UNLV’s Boyd School of Law at night while working. He has three children with his wife, Layke, an attorney and the executive director of the Nevada Cannabis Association.

As treasurer, Conine is in charge of managing state funds, college funds, maintaining state and property records, investing and other financial responsibilities. 

In office, he oversaw the Pandemic Emergency Technical Support Grant Program to assist small businesses, financed affordable housing projects through his role as chair of the state infrastructure bank, helped raise Nevada’s credit rating three times, launched a first-in-the-nation grant program for children with disabilities and promoted unclaimed property, returning more than $200 million to citizens.

Serving as attorney general, Conine said, is a chance to build on his work as treasurer and give back to a state that has welcomed him.

He said that his worries about the state’s future have shifted from issues such as the pandemic and inflation to now problems with federal government overreach — such as the Trump administration’s implementation of tariffs, federal grant cuts that have debilitated nonprofits and other uncertainties surrounding the economy.

“One of the best ways for us to fight back against that is by using the attorney general's office as effectively as possible,” Conine said.

Though Conine is the first major candidate to formally announce a bid for attorney general, other potential bids may come from Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas) and conservative lawyer Joey Gilbert.

Asked about potential challengers, Conine said his record stands against anyone, showing efficiency, effectiveness and “getting the job done” to help Nevadans.

“I've been to communities large and small,” Conine said. “[I] have been putting in the work to be an effective and respected statewide elected official for six years and we will hold our record up against literally anyone's.”