Nationwide — For the first time since Nevada became a state in 1864, a Black American has been elected governor. Democrat Aaron Ford made history on November 3, 2026, defeating incumbent Republican Governor Joe Lombardo and breaking a racial barrier that had stood for 162 years. His groundbreaking victory marks a historic milestone for African American political representation in Nevada and makes him the first Black person ever elected governor of a state west of the Mississippi River.
Ford, who has served as Nevada’s attorney general since 2019, is no stranger to making history. He previously became the state’s first Black Senate majority leader and later its first Black attorney general. His latest achievement represents another remarkable chapter in a political career defined by breaking barriers and expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities. Before entering politics, Ford worked as a mathematics teacher and practiced law. He was first elected to the Nevada Legislature in 2012.
According to WEAU 13 News, the historic election was also a major political upset, as Ford unseated Lombardo, a former sheriff who was elected governor in 2022 and received the endorsement of President Donald Trump. The closely watched race centered heavily on Nevada’s economy, with voters expressing concerns about rising housing costs, expensive gasoline, healthcare expenses, and declining tourism. Ford campaigned on making life more affordable for working families while criticizing Lombardo’s economic policies and his relationship with the Trump administration.
Throughout his campaign, Ford highlighted his own experiences growing up in poverty and emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for families struggling financially. He pledged to address Nevada’s housing shortage, improve public education, protect healthcare access, and provide relief from rising living expenses. As attorney general, he also gained national attention for challenging several Trump administration policies in court, including measures involving birthright citizenship, federal education funding, and election administration.
Ford’s victory comes during a historic election for Nevada Democrats, who captured all six statewide constitutional offices for the first time since 1962. His win also returns the governor’s office to Democratic control after four years of Republican leadership. Beyond the political implications, his election represents a significant achievement for Black Americans in a state that had never elected an African American to its highest executive office.
More than a century and a half after Nevada entered the Union as the nation’s 36th state, Ford has accomplished something no Black candidate had achieved in its entire history. His election adds another important milestone to the history of African American leadership in the United States and establishes him as a trailblazer for future generations. When he takes office, Ford will become Nevada’s first Black governor, marking a new chapter in the state’s 162-year history.