Nevada held its primary election on June 9, 2026, with Republican Governor Joseph Lombardo easily winning renomination and Democrat Aaron Ford leading a crowded field in the governor’s race, setting up a closely watched general election matchup in one of the nation’s most competitive states.
Lombardo secured 91.3% of the Republican primary vote, according to NBC News, fending off challengers including Irina Hansen and Matthew Winterhawk. The incumbent governor, first elected in 2022, faced a Republican primary without serious opposition as he prepares for a general election forecast as competitive.
On the Democratic side, Ford, Nevada’s Attorney General, led with 59.7% of the vote, ahead of Alexis Hill, a Washoe County commissioner who campaigned as a progressive outsider. Ford’s campaign centered on affordability issues facing Nevada voters—affordable housing shortages, high gas prices, and federal cuts to healthcare and food assistance programs. Hill challenged the Democratic establishment while pushing for universal pre-K, rent caps, and higher taxes on the wealthy. Ford, if elected, would become Nevada’s first Black governor.
The primary also featured competitive U.S. House races that will shape the general election landscape. In Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, Republicans chose between Trump-endorsed David Flippo, a video game composer with no prior elected experience, and James Settelmeyer, a former state senator backed by Governor Lombardo and retiring Representative Mark Amodei. The open seat covers northern Nevada including Reno and Carson City. Democrats hope to capitalize on a large number of nonpartisan voters in the district, though Republicans hold a 70,000-voter registration advantage.
In the 3rd Congressional District, Republicans selected a nominee to face Democratic incumbent Representative Susie Lee in what Cook Political Report rated as a competitive swing seat. Candidates included Trump-backed composer Marty O’Donnell, dermatologist Jeff Gunter, neurosurgeon Aury Nagy, and businessperson Tera Anderson. Lee, seeking reelection, emphasized her bipartisan record and decades of public service. The district has a narrow Democratic registration advantage and high numbers of nonpartisan voters, making it crucial for Democrats’ hopes of retaining the House.
The general election on November 3, 2026, will determine not only Nevada’s governor but also shape control of key congressional seats. Political analysts view the governor’s race as one of the most competitive in the country, with both parties investing heavily in the state.
Sources
- NBC News — Governor primary results showing Lombardo at 91.3% and Ford at 59.7%
- AP News — Overview of Nevada’s competitive House races, candidates, and general election context
- The New York Times — Live election results for governor and House races
