Ford hits Nevada airwaves for first time in governor's race with seven-figure ad campaign

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, the Democratic nominee for governor, is out with his first TV ad of the election cycle, kicking off a seven-figure campaign designed to blunt Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo's significant spending advantage.

The 30-second spot titled "Enough" focuses on the "Lombardo-Trump economy," a phrase that has become the centerpiece of Ford's campaign.

In the ad released Tuesday, Ford mentions lawsuits his office filed against "big utility and drug companies" — seemingly referring to his lawsuits against NV Energy and opioid drugmakers — and his time as a teacher.

"I taught middle school math, so I know the Lombardo-Trump economy doesn't add up," Ford says in the ad. "You deserve a fighter who will lower costs, raise wages, create opportunity."

The campaign did not say the specific size of the ad buy, but a seven-figure campaign would still pale in comparison to Lombardo's spending. 

There has been more than $18 million spent or reserved on ads backing Lombardo by the governor's campaign and supportive groups, according to AdImpact, an ad-tracking firm. The governor's campaign account also had 3.5 times as much cash on hand as Ford at the end of June.