By Andrew Mark Miller and Kiera McDonald / Fox News
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo’s campaign estimates that his Democratic rival Aaron Ford’s policy agenda would generate $18.1 billion in government and private-sector costs, burdening residents over four years — including nearly $8 billion in projected Nevada state spending.
The Lombardo campaign report assigns estimated costs to 76 Ford proposals, combining projected Nevada spending with costs it says would be borne by businesses and the federal government that ultimately fall to taxpayers and the public.
The analysis projects $7.93 billion in direct state spending over a four-year term. Lombardo’s campaign argues Nevada could not absorb spending on that scale without higher taxes, new fees, or cuts elsewhere.
University of Nevada, Reno professor Mark Pingle backed the report’s findings, saying the estimated cost of $18 billion is a reasonable assessment based on a review of Ford’s policy proposals.
“The bottom line is simple: these proposals would require a record-breaking increase in spending,” the report states. “Before moving forward with a plan this expensive, Nevadans deserve clear answers about how it would be paid for, who would bear the cost, and what it would mean for the state’s long-term financial stability. Regardless of political party, $18 billion in new spending deserves careful review and an explanation of how it would be paid for.”
Because Nevada has no personal income tax, significant new recurring state spending would likely require additional revenue from other taxes or fees, reductions in other spending, or some combination of the two.
Ford’s healthcare agenda carries the largest price tag according to the report, at an estimated $4.25 billion for proposals addressing medical debt and predatory healthcare practices, including $3.5 billion for a proposal to cancel medical debt. An additional $1.76 billion would be needed to expand healthcare affordability and access through Medicaid protections, workforce expansion, and preventive care.
Ford’s K-12 education plan is estimated to cost $3.68 billion, including raising Nevada’s per-pupil funding to the national average, expanding pre-K, providing universal school meals, and increasing pay for teachers and support staff.
Overall, the report projects Ford’s platform would cost roughly $4.9 billion for education, $4.8 billion for housing, more than $6 billion for healthcare, about $1.5 billion for energy, and nearly $900 million for economic development.
Former Nevada state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, who previously served as chief of staff to Lombardo, said the level of spending “is simply not sustainable for Nevada.” He added: “There is no realistic way to absorb costs of that scale without significant tax increases. Regardless of political party, proposals of this magnitude deserve serious scrutiny because Nevadans expect responsible budgeting, fiscal discipline, and a clear explanation of how these promises would actually be paid for.”
Lombardo is seeking a second term and will face Ford in November in one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races of the 2026 midterm elections.
Source: Fox News, July 22, 2026. Reported by Andrew Mark Miller and Kiera McDonald.