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Joe Lombardo
2023 - Present
2027
2
Joe Lombardo (Republican Party) is the Governor of Nevada. He assumed office on January 2, 2023. His current term ends on January 4, 2027.
Lombardo was born in Japan in 1962 to an Air Force family and moved around the world as a child. His family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1976.[1][2][3]
After receiving a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Lombardo served in the U.S. Army and the Nevada National Guard.[2][4] In 1988, he joined the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, where he worked for 26 years, including roles as a captain and assistant sheriff.[2][4] In 2006, Lombardo received a master's degree in crisis management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.[2]
In 2014, Lombardo was elected Clark County sheriff, defeating Larry Burns 51%-49%.[5] He was re-elected with 73% of the vote in 2018.[2] As sheriff, Lombardo led the investigation of the 2017 mass shooting in which a gunman killed 58 people at a music festival in Las Vegas.[6] According to The Nevada Independent, as sheriff, Lombardo "[voiced] support for universal background checks on firearms sales ... as well as limits on certain high-capacity magazines."[7]
In 2021, Lombardo announced his gubernatorial campaign, saying he was running to "put an end to the single-party rule eroding our state of the values, laws and opportunities to make Nevada great" and calling incumbent Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) the "most partisan governor in Nevada history."[3] In the 2022 election, Lombardo defeated Sisolak 49%-47%. Sisolak was the only incumbent governor defeated that year, and Nevada was the only state where Republicans broke a Democratic trifecta in the 2022 elections.
According to The Nevada Independent, during the 2023 legislative session, Lombardo "proposed a two-year, $11 billion budget — the largest general fund budget in state history — and signed a Democrat-sponsored proposal to create a $250 million matching fund for teacher raises," while other parts of Lombardo's agenda, such as changes in election law and criminal justice policies, were unsuccessful.[8] Lombardo issued 75 vetoes in 2023, breaking the state record for a single session.[9]
Regarding the 2024 state Senate and Assembly elections, in which veto-proof supermajority control was at stake, Lombardo said, "The Democrats are trying to achieve a supermajority because they believe that’s to the benefit of the state, which I absolutely disagree with. ... I have vetted candidates, I have identified candidates, I have recruited candidates, I am raising money for candidates to help with their success, to ensure that we prevent [a veto-proof supermajority]."[10] Lombardo said, "We’re trying to do good government. ... We’re not trying to make partisan government, and when you have single-party rule, that’s exactly what happens. Everything’s done in a vacuum. You don’t have any discussion, discourse or for the betterment of the majority versus the minority."[11]
Biography
Lombardo served in the U.S. Army, the U.S. National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve. He also earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in crisis management from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. After two decades as an officer in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, he was elected Clark County sheriff in 2014. Lombardo has also served on the board of Nevada Child Seekers and as the chairman of MCCA Intelligence Committee.[12]
Political career
Below is a list of offices within Ballotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, please contact us.
Lombardo's political career includes the following offices:
- 2023-present: Governor of Nevada
- 2014-2023: Clark County Sheriff
Elections
2026
See also: Nevada gubernatorial election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Governor of Nevada
Incumbent Joe Lombardo, Aaron Ford, and Matthew Winterhawk are running in the general election for Governor of Nevada on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Joe Lombardo (R) | |
 | Aaron Ford (D) | |
 | Matthew Winterhawk (R)  | |
| ||||
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Endorsements
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2022
See also: Nevada gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of Nevada
Joe Lombardo defeated incumbent Steve Sisolak, Brandon Davis, and Edward Bridges II in the general election for Governor of Nevada on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joe Lombardo (R) | 48.8 | 497,377 |
 | Steve Sisolak (D) | 47.3 | 481,991 | |
 | Brandon Davis (L) | 1.5 | 14,919 | |
 | Edward Bridges II (Independent American Party) | 1.0 | 9,918 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.5 | 14,866 | ||
| Total votes: 1,019,071 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Bradley Beck (Independent)
- Monique Richardson (Independent)
- Austin Billings (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Nevada
Incumbent Steve Sisolak defeated Tom Collins in the Democratic primary for Governor of Nevada on June 14, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Steve Sisolak | 89.5 | 157,283 |
 | Tom Collins | 6.9 | 12,051 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 3.6 | 6,340 | ||
| Total votes: 175,674 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Nevada
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Nevada on June 14, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joe Lombardo | 38.4 | 87,761 |
 | Joey Gilbert | 27.0 | 61,738 | |
 | Dean Heller | 14.0 | 32,087 | |
 | John J. Lee | 7.8 | 17,846 | |
 | Guy Nohra | 3.7 | 8,348 | |
 | Fred Simon Jr. | 3.0 | 6,856 | |
 | Tom Heck | 1.9 | 4,315 | |
 | Eddie Hamilton | 0.6 | 1,293 | |
 | Amber Whitley | 0.5 | 1,238 | |
 | William Walls | 0.4 | 833 | |
| Gary Evertsen | 0.2 | 558 | ||
 | Seven Achilles Evans | 0.2 | 475 | |
| Edward O'Brien | 0.2 | 422 | ||
 | Barak Zilberberg | 0.2 | 352 | |
 | Stan Lusak | 0.1 | 229 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.8 | 4,219 | ||
| Total votes: 228,570 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Michele Fiore (R)
2018
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Clark County Sheriff
Incumbent Joe Lombardo won election outright against Tim Bedwell, Matt Caldwell, Gordon Martines, and Gregory S. Heiny in the primary for Clark County Sheriff on June 12, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joe Lombardo (Nonpartisan) | 72.8 | 139,131 |
 | Tim Bedwell (Nonpartisan) | 15.7 | 29,939 | |
| Matt Caldwell (Nonpartisan) | 5.4 | 10,241 | ||
 | Gordon Martines (Nonpartisan) | 4.5 | 8,570 | |
| Gregory S. Heiny (Nonpartisan) | 1.7 | 3,210 | ||
| Total votes: 191,091 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
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2022
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Campaign website
Lombardo's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Just Call Him Joe Joe Lombardo has a lot of titles. Sheriff, officer, veteran, leader, husband, and father. Soon he’ll add another title: Governor…but you can just call him Joe. In an era of career politicians who poll-test every word and must get permission from Washington or Carson City consultants before they speak, Joe is different - he's plain-spoken and honest. Many candidates spend their days preparing to run for office, worrying about how they look, what they say, or how every interaction can lead to a campaign contribution—but Joe is different. He spends his days diffusing tense situations, apprehending violent criminals, and standing up for what is right. So, next time you hear a carefully worded non-answer from some slick politician, remember that you have a choice and a voice in Sheriff Joe Lombardo. Joe is an Army veteran, former beat cop, and has spent the last seven years serving as Clark County Sheriff. Joe has dedicated his life to protecting American freedoms, putting bad guys away, and keeping us safe. So whether you salute him as a veteran, appreciate his service in law enforcement, or can’t wait for him to be the next Governor of Nevada…he just prefers you call him Joe.
Joe will Introduce an election reform package that protects the integrity of our elections. Reforms that eliminate ballot harvesting, end universal mail ballots, require an ID to vote, and creates a bipartisan panel to oversee the elections that are currently controlled by single-party rule.
Joe Lombardo is the only candidate in the race for Governor who has carried a gun every day for the past three decades. As a Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association, United States Army veteran, beat cop, and now as sheriff for the past seven years, Joe knows that an important part of keeping our communities safe is protecting the Second Amendment from those who wish to erode or even outright repeal it. Joe stands with the Founding Fathers and will protect our right to own and bear arms. Of course, any candidate can say that they support our right to bear arms, but what a candidate really means is more revealing than simply turning a phrase about the Second Amendment.
Joe campaigned on a promise to eliminate Clark County’s Blue Card gun registry. Clark County was the only county in Nevada that required law-abiding gun owners to register their firearms until Joe Lombardo worked with County Commissioner Tom Collins, the State Legislature, and Governor Brian Sandoval to put an end to the gun registry in 2015. No other candidate in the race has eliminated a gun registry or prevented the government from tracking law-abiding gun owners.
Joe supports our right to build a firearm for personal use. Left-wing politicians are working hard to take away our right to create our own guns. As Governor, Joe will veto any legislation that takes away that right.
Joe believes that every American has the right to due process and is innocent until proven guilty. The job of law enforcement officers is to protect the citizens under their jurisdiction. The original intent of Nevada’s Red Flag law is no longer its aim and actually makes it more difficult for officers to do their job. As Governor, Joe will always look for ways to streamline government and remove antiquated laws, including Nevada’s Red Flag law.
Joe believes that gun manufacturers design magazine capacities appropriately to maximize safety. Therefore, as Governor, Joe would not sign any law restricting manufacturer limits on firearm magazines. To do otherwise would be a violation of the United States Constitution. As a law enforcement officer, Joe has seen first-hand the devastation that can occur when weapons and after-market modifications fall into the hands of the wrong people. So, although Joe supports no restrictions on manufacturer limits, he has been a vocal opponent of bump stocks and other modifications that make weapons more dangerous and criminals more difficult for law enforcement to apprehend. As Joe has repeatedly said, “sometimes that one or one and a half seconds when a shooter is changing a magazine or reloading is the only opportunity for law enforcement to advance and apprehend” the bad guy. Part of protecting our right to own and bear arms is the responsibility we have to keep those weapons out of the hands of criminals who wish to do us harm. Joe has made a career of doing just that and will continue to do so as Governor.
Joe supports the right of all law-abiding citizens to own a firearm if they so choose. Some politicians and advocates use background checks as a dog-whistle issue for political gain, but not Joe. Joe Lombardo believes that we have a responsibility as protectors of the Second Amendment and the constitutional rights it provides to enhance safety and maintain law and order. Joe believes that background checks should be efficient, inexpensive, and serve the singular purpose of keeping weapons out of the hands of criminals and those struggling with mental health illness - not as a vehicle for gun control advocates to restrict our Second Amendment rights. As Governor, Joe will partner with national law enforcement agencies to protect our constitutional rights while lowering gun violence in Nevada.
Joe supports reforms like read by three that give students a better chance to succeed. He will empower parents by expanding charter schools, school choice, and opportunity scholarships. Joe believes Nevada needs to focus on job and career training not only for jobs of today but jobs to come.
How do you know when a politician has been in politics too long? When that politician benefits so much from the politics of a broken immigration system that he or she doesn’t actually know how to fix it. Joe Lombardo believes in protecting and defending America’s borders. As an Army veteran and as your Sheriff, Joe has protected our freedoms, values, and safety. He believes that our future depends on a legal immigration system that protects Americans, promotes our values, respects our laws, and defends our borders. When the liberal ACLU sued Clark County, and a liberal California judge sided with the ACLU to block the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department from using a federal database to learn the true identity of criminals, Joe knew he had to act. He could not ignore a court order, but he could get creative and improvise as Sheriff. Joe and his officers have always been committed to putting the worst of the worst behind bars or turning them over to ICE for deportation. One left-wing organization and a California judge were not going to prevent Joe and his officers from doing their jobs. Joe used extra personnel and dedicated scarce resources to working directly with ICE to determine the identity of violent criminals in other ways. The ACLU may have blocked Joe and his team from using a database, but it didn’t block them from other ways of getting these violent criminals off our streets. While officers now must do some extra work, the number of violent criminals identified and turned over to federal authorities for deportation is nearly identical. As the only candidate in this race to have put bad guys behind bars or deported violent criminals, Joe is opposed to sanctuary cities and will continue to do everything possible to keep us safe, and he isn’t afraid to take on the left-wing advocates constantly trying to make that more difficult.
Joe set a new policy when he took office as Sheriff – that our rights are as important as someone’s right to protest. Our streets were not blocked, our neighborhoods were not taken over, our businesses were not harassed because Joe Lombardo made OUR rights as law-abiding citizens his priority. While other cities were burned, blockaded, even shut down… our community was civil and safe thanks to Joe.
Defunding the police is a radical, left-wing effort focused on improving the lives of criminals while putting the rest of us at greater risk. Joe will fight any effort to defund the police. In the Army, Joe took an oath to protect and defend this country and our constitution. As a police officer…and later as Sheriff…he took another oath to protect our community and our values. Joe is the only candidate in this race who has taken both of those oaths. Although anyone can say they’ll keep us safe, Joe Lombardo does it every day. That’s important because this race is bigger than politics; it is about keeping Nevadans safe in an increasingly dangerous world. Safe from Antifa. Safe from Anarchy. Safe from Socialism. Joe Lombardo will keep Nevada safe from Steve Sisolak’s left-wing agenda and attempts to take away our freedoms as Americans and Nevadans. Joe has and will always support police reforms that focus on better recruitment and more extensive vetting and training of officers trusted with protecting our communities. Through Joe’s own experience, he also believes that all police departments could benefit from a multicultural advisory council like the one in Las Vegas that works to help law enforcement better understand and integrate with diverse communities. Joe has also been a vocal advocate for finding more efficient and effective ways to handle mental health, social welfare, and victim advocacy calls and will continue to seek ways to target every issue with the right solution. Joe Lombardo is a staunch advocate for more officers on the street and actually has a track record of delivering. While Seattle, Baltimore, Chicago, and Portland gave into the mobs, Joe focused on keeping our communities safe. While Antifa and the anarchists created their own autonomous zones and destroyed great American cities, Joe focused on arresting and prosecuting every single person responsible for looting, rioting, damaging property, or attacking law enforcement officers. As our Governor, Joe will bring the same commitment to protecting law-abiding Nevadans that he does every day as Sheriff. America and Nevada are at critical crossroads. Joe won’t surrender to the left-wing liberal push to defund the police or take away law enforcement’s ability to keep Nevadans safe. Anyone who says otherwise - or wrongfully twists Joe's words for their own political benefit - lacks the honesty and integrity necessary to lead Nevada.
Joe will veto any new tax increase.
Joe is pro-life.[13] |
” |
| —Joe Lombardo's campaign website (2022)[14] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ National Governors Association, "Gov. Joe Lombardo," accessed August 13, 2024
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, "Governor Joe Lombardo," accessed August 13, 2024
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Nevada Independent, "Clark County Sheriff Lombardo announces run for governor as Republican; says he’ll veto new taxes, take ‘law and order’ tack," June 28, 2021
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Western Governors' Association, "Joe Lombardo," accessed September 20, 2024
- ↑ Nevada Secretary of State, "Silver State 2014 Election Night Results," December 15, 2014
- ↑ New York Times, "After Las Vegas Shooting, a Tight-Lipped Sheriff Faces a Maddening Case," October 9, 2017
- ↑ The Nevada Independent, "Lombardo bucks GOP line on guns, supports universal background checks but pushes back on recent gun control bills," June 25, 2021
- ↑ The Nevada Independent, "'You have to grow into it:' Joe Lombardo’s rise from beat cop to governor," April 7, 2024
- ↑ The Nevada Independent, "Lombardo Veto Tracker: Governor sets new record with 75 vetoes," June 21, 2023
- ↑ The Nevada Independent, "IndyTalks: Lombardo vows ‘to use everything available’ to retain veto power," March 12, 2024
- ↑ Las Vegas Review-Journal, "What would a Democratic supermajority in the Legislature look like?" September 23, 2024
- ↑ Joe Lombardo For Governor, "Get to Know Joe," accessed May 3, 2022
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Joe Lombardo for Governor, “Issues,” accessed April 25, 2022
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Steve Sisolak (D) |
Governor of Nevada 2023-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Clark County Sheriff 2014-2023 |
Succeeded by Kevin McMahill |
 |
State of Nevada Carson City (capital) |
|---|---|
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