Governor Joe Lombardo kicked off his 2026 re-election campaign last week with a tour through
rural Nevada, making stops in Fallon, Lovelock, Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, and Elko. The
governor, joined by Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald and State
Comptroller Andy Matthews, spoke to residents gathered in Lovelock about the importance of
rural voices, voter engagement, and continued economic diversification across the state.
Lombardo told the crowd he makes frequent trips to rural Nevada as part of his commitment to
represent the entire state, not just the population centers of Clark and Washoe counties.
“One thing I pride myself on is traveling across the state to understand what’s going on in all
corners of Nevada,” Lombardo said. “The rural environment supports the state in totality, not just
the urban centers. That’s why meetings like this are so important.”
The governor said his administration’s priorities remain focused on diversifying Nevada’s
economy beyond gaming, improving education outcomes, and addressing housing and workforce
challenges in rural areas.
“When I first ran, I promised to expand opportunities in mining, agriculture, livestock,
transportation, logistics, and manufacturing,” Lombardo said. “In the past three years, we’ve
brought $5 billion in new investment to the state. Gaming doesn’t carry our economy the way it
used to so we’ve changed that mindset.”
Lombardo also highlighted education gains during his term, noting that Nevada has climbed
from the bottom of national rankings.
“We’ve moved from 48th and 49th up to 42nd,” he said. “It may not sound like much, but
turning a battleship takes time and we’re moving in the right direction.”
He also touched on his background in law enforcement and emphasized continued efforts to
support local policing and public safety throughout the state.
“As a former sheriff, I understand that Pershing County and Clark County are two very different
animals,” Lombardo said. “It’s my job to make sure the state gives the right support to local
governments so they can succeed.”
Lombardo noted that he’s had to work across the aisle with a Democratic-majority legislature,
often using his veto power to block bills he felt were harmful to Nevada’s economy or rural
communities.
“We’ve had to chip away at things, piece by piece,” he said. “But that’s part of the process and
it’s important to have a governor who’s willing to stand firm.”
With the next election cycle approaching, Lombardo urged voters not to assume that incumbents
or established candidates will automatically win, emphasizing that turnout and engagement
remain crucial.
“The worst thing that can happen is for voters to think, ‘My vote won’t matter,’” he said. “That’s
not the case. We need people to get involved and show up.”
Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald opened the event by thanking local
organizers for helping coordinate the stop and spoke passionately about rebuilding the party from
the ground up.
“We built the party on grassroots, on getting people together and making sure everyone has a
voice,” McDonald said. “Governor Lombardo has been a leader from day one, defending Nevada
families and standing up for what’s right.”
He praised Lombardo’s leadership during the pandemic and his record of vetoing legislation that,
in McDonald’s words, “protected Nevadans from bad laws.”
State Comptroller Andy Matthews also spoke, reinforcing Lombardo’s focus on fiscal
responsibility and practical governance.
“Governor Lombardo isn’t a politician—he’s a working-class guy who stepped up when Nevada
needed a leader,” Matthews said.
The governor’s rural campaign tour continues through October, with additional visits planned in
northeastern and central Nevada communities.
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