Political campaigns across Nevada are seeing significant financial activity and close polling results as early voting begins. Recent campaign finance reports reveal substantial investments, while a new poll indicates a tight gubernatorial contest. Additionally, the state's employment agency recently highlighted a significant improvement in job numbers.
The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association (DLGA) has substantially increased its financial commitment to Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui's (D-Las Vegas) election bid, with its total investment now reaching $1.86 million, up from $1.75 million earlier this month. This latest spending surge, described as a six-figure sum, is directed towards a new Spanish-language advertisement. The ad focuses on Jauregui's proposal to reduce water usage by data centers and is running concurrently with two other advertisements critical of her opponent, incumbent Stavros Anthony (R). The DLGA's overall investment in this race marks the largest sum ever recorded in a Nevada lieutenant governor's race.
An internal polling memo from Global Strategy Group indicates a very close race between Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) and Governor Joe Lombardo (R). The memo shows Ford trailing Lombardo by just one percentage point, with Lombardo at 48 percent support and Ford at 47 percent. According to the memo, voters' impressions of Ford are improving, while Lombardo's public image is "now negative." Favorability ratings cited in the memo show Ford with a 42 percent unfavorable rating, compared to Lombardo's 47 percent. Among registered nonpartisan and third-party voters, the race remains closely divided, with Ford receiving 45 percent support and Lombardo 46 percent.
In a rare move last week, officials from Nevada's employment agency held a press conference to publicize the state's latest job statistics. These figures indicated that Nevada's unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest point since February 2020. Chris Sewell, the director of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, confirmed that the governor's office played a role in arranging the press conference.
Beyond the lieutenant governor's race, other campaign finance details have drawn attention. Waymo, for the first time ever, contributed $65,000 across 20 different legislative campaigns. Among the recipients were Senate Minority Leader Robin Titus (R-Wellington) and Assm. Tracy Brown-May (D-Las Vegas). Separately, David Flippo's campaign attributed a donation to a deceased individual. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is also scheduled to return to Nevada. Early voting for the elections has commenced.
