# Ford becomes first Black governor west of Mississippi

> Nevada's Democratic attorney general defeats Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo in a closely watched midterm race.
- Title: Ford becomes first Black governor west of Mississippi · NPR
- Summary: Nevada's Democratic attorney general defeats Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo in a closely watched midterm race. Aaron Ford, Nevada's attorney general…
- Keywords: aaron ford, joe lombardo, nevada, governor, 2026 midterms, democratic party, republican party, NPR
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/11/04/g-s1-151138/midterms-ford-nevada-governor-lombardo
- Published: 2026-11-04T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: aaron ford, joe lombardo, nevada, governor, 2026 midterms, democratic party, republican party, news
## Ford defeats Lombardo in Nevada
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat, unseated Republican Governor Joe Lombardo in what was considered one of the most competitive gubernatorial races in the United States.
## Ford's historic win
Ford will be the first Black governor of a state west of the Mississippi River. He was previously Nevada's first Black Senate majority leader and attorney general.
## Ford's campaign focus
Ford blamed Nevada's economic troubles on Lombardo and Trump, citing gas prices over five dollars per gallon and declining tourism. Nevada also risks losing one point two billion dollars in federal funding.
## Ford's promised agenda
Ford has pledged to bring back bills Lombardo killed, including limiting corporate home purchases and giving Nevada power to adopt Medicaid negotiated prescription drug prices.
## Key takeaway

Aaron Ford, Nevada's attorney general, defeated Republican Governor Joe Lombardo to become the first Black governor of a state west of the Mississippi River.