Election 2026

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Candidate record

Aaron D. Ford

Nevada attorney general since January 2019. Former state senator and Senate majority leader. Campaign affiliation: Democratic.

Voter guide

Background, stated goals, record, and money

Goals come from the campaign's own platform. Record lines are official actions.

How this guide is built

Background comes from official records, and from the campaign's own biography where the bullet says so; goals are summarized from the campaign's own platform and stay attributed; the record lines are official actions with the government source attached; money is shown as filed, with the filings it covers in the note under the table, and is not evidence of why any position was taken.

Aaron D. Ford

Background

  • Nevada's attorney general since January 7, 2019.
  • Before that, a state senator who served as both majority leader and minority leader.
  • A public school math teacher before he became a lawyer.
  • His campaign says Medicaid and food stamps helped him as a young single father.

What they say they want to do

  • Raise per-pupil school funding to at least the national average.
  • Cap how many homes corporate investors can buy each year.
  • Make data centers bring their own power, grid upgrades and water, with no new tax breaks until they deliver.
  • Reverse NV Energy's mandatory demand charge and appoint utility regulators focused on lowering bills.
  • Make pharmacy benefit managers pass drug rebates on to patients.

What the official record shows

  • Nevada joined a $1.7 billion settlement with student loan company Navient. His office said 592 Nevadans would get $17.1 million in loan cancellation.
  • SB 35, filed on behalf of his office, became law. It made 28 grams of illegally made fentanyl a trafficking crime.
  • Joined 20 other attorneys general suing to stop the shutdown of the U.S. Department of Education.
  • His office said Nevada's opioid settlement recoveries had reached $1,215,011,047.06.
  • A court filing settled his office's case with Roblox: $10 million and age checks before users can chat.

Campaign money from other committees, by type

Governor candidates file with the Nevada Secretary of State. We have not added those filings yet.

Source: Nevada Secretary of State

Words and record

What they say, and what the record shows

Each card gets one label from a fixed list and states its own limit.

Matches stated record claim

What they say

His campaign says that as attorney general he won more than $1.2 billion in opioid settlements.

What the record shows ·

His office put Nevada's total opioid recoveries at $1,215,011,047.06 in July 2025, a count that includes multistate deals paid out over many years.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says that as attorney general he won more than $1.2 billion in opioid settlements.

“winning more than $1.2 billion in opioid settlements”

What the record shows ·

On July 10, 2025, his office said a new settlement brought Nevada's total opioid recoveries to $1,215,011,047.06.

Limit: The total is his office's own count. It includes deals made with many states and money paid out over many years.

Matches stated record claim

What they say

His campaign says he sued a national student loan company and won millions in relief for Nevadans.

What the record shows ·

Nevada joined a 2022 multistate settlement with Navient that gave 592 Nevadans $17.1 million in loan cancellation and paid about $1.05 million to 3,952 more.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says he sued a national student loan company and won millions in relief for Nevadans.

“He sued a major national student loan servicer and won, delivering millions of dollars of student loan relief”

What the record shows ·

In January 2022, Nevada and other states settled with Navient for $1.7 billion. His office said 592 Nevadans would get $17,140,858 in loan cancellation and 3,952 would share $1,053,752 in payments.

Limit: It was a settlement joined by many states, not a win at trial.

Matches stated record claim

What they say

His campaign says he sued the Trump administration to stop it from shutting down the U.S. Department of Education.

What the record shows ·

Nevada joined 20 other attorneys general in suing in March 2025; a court blocked the layoffs, and the U.S. Supreme Court paused that order while the case goes on.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says he sued the Trump administration to stop it from shutting down the U.S. Department of Education.

“Ford sued the Trump administration for attempting to eliminate the Department of Education”

What the record shows ·

Nevada joined 20 other attorneys general in suing on March 13, 2025. A federal court blocked the layoffs on May 22, 2025. On July 14, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court paused that order while the case goes on.

Limit: He was one of 21 attorneys general in the suit. The campaign's figure of $1 billion a year for Nevada was not checked.

Matches stated record claim

What they say

His campaign says he fought NV Energy's mandatory demand charge, which it calls unlawful.

What the record shows ·

His office challenged the charge in court and lost in May 2026, when a Clark County judge did not find it unlawful; he says he will appeal.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says he fought NV Energy's mandatory demand charge, which it calls unlawful.

“Aaron Ford fought back against NV Energy's unlawful mandatory demand charge”

What the record shows ·

His consumer protection office challenged the charge and took it to court. On May 26, 2026, a Clark County judge ruled against his office, and he said he would appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Limit: He has lost so far: the judge did not find the charge unlawful. He says he will appeal.

Matches stated record claim

What they say

His campaign says he won a first-of-its-kind settlement with Roblox to protect children from online predators.

What the record shows ·

An April 2026 consent judgment requires $10 million from Roblox and age checks before chat. Roblox admitted no wrongdoing; first-of-its-kind status is not in the court record.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says he won a first-of-its-kind settlement with Roblox to protect children from online predators.

“winning a first-of-its-kind settlement with Roblox that will protect children from online predators”

What the record shows ·

A consent judgment filed April 15, 2026 in Clark County District Court has Roblox pay $10 million and check users' ages before they can chat, among other rules.

Limit: "First of its kind" is his office's description; the court record does not say. Roblox admitted no wrongdoing.

Matches stated record claim

What they say

His campaign says that as attorney general he cracked down on fentanyl traffickers and ghost guns.

What the record shows ·

His office asked for the 2023 law that made 28 grams of illegal fentanyl a trafficking crime, and won a court ruling upholding Nevada's ghost gun ban.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says that as attorney general he cracked down on fentanyl traffickers and ghost guns.

“Cracked down on fentanyl traffickers and ghost guns”

What the record shows ·

Senate Bill 35 was filed in November 2022 on behalf of the attorney general. It made 28 grams or more of illegally made fentanyl a trafficking crime; other drug trafficking starts at 100 grams. It became law on June 14, 2023. On April 18, 2024, his office won a unanimous Nevada Supreme Court ruling that upheld the state's 2021 ghost gun ban.

Limit: His office asked for the bill; the Legislature passed it and the governor signed it. On ghost guns, his office defended the 2021 ban in court.

Record does not bear out the claim

What they say

His campaign says that as Senate majority leader he sponsored the bill that created the Silver State Opportunity Grant, a college grant for low-income students.

“As state senate majority leader, Ford sponsored the bill to create the Silver State Opportunity Grant”

What the record shows ·

Senate Bill 227 created the grant in 2015. Its sponsors were Senators Kieckhefer, Kihuen, Harris and Woodhouse. Ford voted for it but was not a sponsor. He was minority leader that session.

Limit: In 2017, as majority leader, he was a lead sponsor of SB 391, which created a different community college scholarship, the Nevada Promise Scholarship. Two 2017 bills on the Silver State grant were filed by others and did not pass.

Not comparable yet

What they say

His campaign says data centers should get no new tax breaks until they prove they are keeping their side of the deal, and that he will re-examine the breaks they get now.

What the record shows ·

In 2015 he co-led and voted for the law that created the data center tax break, with job, wage and investment conditions; his 2026 plan asks for stricter terms.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says data centers should get no new tax breaks until they prove they are keeping their side of the deal, and that he will re-examine the breaks they get now.

“stop awarding tax breaks for data centers until they prove that they're holding up their end of the bargain”

What the record shows ·

In 2015, as a state senator, he was one of six lead sponsors of Senate Bill 170, which created a partial tax break for new or expanding data centers. He voted for it; the Senate passed it 21 to 0, and it became law on June 9, 2015. The break is still in state law. It came with conditions: at least 10 Nevada employees, at least the statewide average wage, and at least $25 million invested, and a data center that stops meeting them has to repay the break.

Limit: The law is from 2015; his plan is from his 2026 campaign. The plan asks for stricter terms on these breaks, not an end to them.

Matches stated record claim

What they say

His campaign says that as attorney general he urged Congress to reform how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) do business.

What the record shows ·

He signed two group letters from state attorneys general, in 2024 and 2025, asking Congress to reform PBMs and to bar them from owning pharmacies.

Read the full check

Quotes, full record and limits

What they say

His campaign says that as attorney general he urged Congress to reform how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) do business.

“As Attorney General, Ford urged Congress to reform PBM practices.”

What the record shows ·

On February 20, 2024, he signed a letter from state attorneys general asking congressional leaders to reform PBM practices. It named three PBM bills it said deserve debate. On April 14, 2025, he signed another asking Congress to pass a law barring PBMs from owning or running pharmacies.

Limit: Both were group letters signed by many attorneys general. A letter asks Congress to act; it does not change the law.

Issues in this record

Follow the evidence by issue.

Schools and school fundingHousing costsPower bills and data centersTaxesHealth care costs

Evidence timeline

Dated records, with sources attached.

  1. race event

    Clark County posts the ballot order

    Clark County's ballot order lists three candidates for governor: Aaron D. Ford (Democratic), Danielle Ford (no party) and Joseph Lombardo (Republican), plus "None of these candidates."

  2. race event

    Court rules on the demand charge

    A Clark County judge rules against Aaron D. Ford's office in its challenge to NV Energy's demand charge. He says he will appeal.

  3. race event

    Fentanyl trafficking law signed

    Joseph Lombardo signs SB 35, filed on behalf of Aaron D. Ford's office. Trafficking in illegally made fentanyl now starts at 28 grams.

  4. race event

    Aaron D. Ford becomes attorney general

    He takes office as Nevada's 34th attorney general.

See something wrong or incomplete? Report it for review.

Sources36 source records

How we use sources

  1. Meet the Attorney General Aaron D. Fordhttps://ag.nv.gov/About/AG_Aaron_Ford/

    Office of the Nevada Attorney General · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Official biography.

    official office record

    For: Current role; Background, goals, record and campaign money; Aaron D. Ford becomes attorney general

  2. About Aaronhttps://www.fordfornevada.com/about

    Committee to Elect Aaron Ford · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign biography and list of accomplishments.

    candidate statement

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Fentanyl law and ghost gun ban

  3. Education planhttps://www.fordfornevada.com/issues/education

    Committee to Elect Aaron Ford · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign issue page.

    candidate statement

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Student loan relief from Navient; Roblox child safety settlement

  4. Economic development planhttps://www.fordfornevada.com/issues/economic-development

    Committee to Elect Aaron Ford · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign issue page.

    candidate statement

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Silver State Opportunity Grant; Data center tax breaks

  5. Issueshttps://www.fordfornevada.com/issues

    Committee to Elect Aaron Ford · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Summary of his six issue pages.

    candidate statement

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Suing to stop the Education Department shutdown; Data center tax breaks

  6. Energy planhttps://www.fordfornevada.com/issues/energy

    Committee to Elect Aaron Ford · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign issue page.

    candidate statement

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; NV Energy's demand charge

  7. Health care planhttps://www.fordfornevada.com/issues/healthcare

    Committee to Elect Aaron Ford · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Campaign issue page.

    candidate statement

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Opioid settlement money; Asking Congress to rein in drug middlemen

  8. Attorney General Ford announces $1.7 billion settlement with student loan servicer Navienthttps://ag.nv.gov/News/PR/2022/Attorney_General_Ford_Announces_$1_7_Billion_Settlement_with_Student_Loan_Servicer_Navient/

    Office of the Nevada Attorney General · Published Jan 14, 2022 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Gives Nevada's share: $1,053,752 in payments to 3,952 borrowers and $17,140,858 in loan cancellation for 592 borrowers.

    official office record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Student loan relief from Navient

  9. SB 35 (2023), as introduced (document)

    Nevada Legislature · Published Nov 16, 2022 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The first page reads 'On behalf of the Attorney General', prefiled November 16, 2022.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Fentanyl law and ghost gun ban; Fentanyl trafficking law signed

  10. SB 35 (2023), fentanyl traffickinghttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023/Bill/FillSelectedBillTab?selectedTab=Overview&billKey=9588

    Nevada Legislature · Published Jun 14, 2023 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Bill history and digest: prefiled November 16, 2022; approved by the Governor June 14, 2023. Sets trafficking in illegally made fentanyl at 28 grams; other schedule I and II trafficking starts at 100 grams.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Fentanyl law and ghost gun ban; Fentanyl trafficking law signed

  11. Attorney General Ford wins court order stopping dismantling of Department of Educationhttps://ag.nv.gov/News/PR/2025/Attorney_General_Ford%E2%80%AFWins_Court_Order_Stopping_Dismantling_of_Department_of_Education

    Office of the Nevada Attorney General · Published May 22, 2025 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Says Nevada joined 20 other attorneys general in suing on March 13, 2025, and a federal court granted a preliminary injunction on May 22, 2025.

    official office record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Suing to stop the Education Department shutdown

  12. Attorney General Ford secures $720 million multistate settlement from eight opioid drug makershttps://ag.nv.gov/News/PR/2025/Attorney_General_Ford_Secures_$720_Million_Multistate_Settlement_from_Eight_Opioid_Drug_Makers/

    Office of the Nevada Attorney General · Published Jul 10, 2025 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Says the settlement brings Nevada's total opioid recoveries to $1,215,011,047.06.

    official office record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Opioid settlement money

  13. State of Nevada v. Roblox, consent judgment (document)

    Office of the Nevada Attorney General (Clark County District Court filing) · Published Apr 15, 2026 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Filed April 15, 2026, case A-26-944136-B. Roblox pays $10 million and must use age checks before users can chat, without admitting liability.

    official office record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money; Roblox child safety settlement

  14. AURORA campaign finance searchhttps://www.nvsos.gov/SOSCandidateServices/AnonymousAccess/CEFDSearchUU/Search.aspx

    Nevada Secretary of State · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Where governor candidates' contribution and expense reports are filed. It sits behind a security check, so this desk did not read it.

    official election record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money

  15. NRS chapter 294A, campaign practiceshttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-294A.html

    Nevada Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    State law requiring candidates to report contributions and expenses to the Secretary of State.

    official legislative record

    For: Background, goals, record and campaign money

  16. McMahon v. New York, No. 24A1203, order (document)

    Supreme Court of the United States · Published Jul 14, 2025 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Stays the May 22, 2025 injunction while the appeal goes on.

    official office record

    For: Suing to stop the Education Department shutdown

  17. Attorney General Ford issues statement on decision in NV Energy demand charge litigationhttps://ag.nv.gov/News/PR/2026/Attorney_General_Ford_Issues_Statement_on_Decision_in_NV_Energy_Demand_Charge_Litigation/

    Office of the Nevada Attorney General · Published May 26, 2026 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Says the court 'got it wrong' and that he will appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court.

    official office record

    For: NV Energy's demand charge; Court rules on the demand charge

  18. Judge denies attorney general's petition to stop NV Energy's daily demand chargehttps://thenevadaindependent.com/article/judge-denies-attorney-generals-petition-to-stop-nv-energys-daily-demand-charge

    The Nevada Independent · Published May 26, 2026 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Report of the Clark County District Court ruling against the attorney general's consumer protection office.

    original reporting

    For: NV Energy's demand charge; Court rules on the demand charge

  19. Attorney General Ford applauds Nevada Supreme Court decision that bans on 'ghost guns' are constitutionalhttps://ag.nv.gov/News/PR/2024/Attorney_General_Ford_Applauds_Nevada_Supreme_Court_Decision_that_Bans_on_%E2%80%98Ghost_Guns%E2%80%99_are_Constitutional/

    Office of the Nevada Attorney General · Published Apr 18, 2024 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Dated April 18, 2024. Says a unanimous Nevada Supreme Court reversed a lower court and upheld the state's 2021 ghost gun ban, and thanks his staff who worked the case.

    official office record

    For: Fentanyl law and ghost gun ban

  20. Sisolak v. Polymer80, 140 Nev., Advance Opinion 30 (document)

    Supreme Court of Nevada (posted by the Office of the Nevada Attorney General) · Published Apr 18, 2024 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Filed April 18, 2024. Reverses a Lyon County ruling against the ghost gun statutes. Lists Aaron D. Ford, Attorney General, as counsel for the state.

    official office record

    For: Fentanyl law and ghost gun ban

  21. SB 227 (2015), Silver State Opportunity Granthttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/78th2015/Bill/FillSelectedBillTab?selectedTab=Overview&billKey=1680

    Nevada Legislature · Published Jun 8, 2015 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Bill history: created the grant program. Primary sponsors Senators Kieckhefer and Kihuen; co-sponsors Senators Harris and Woodhouse. Approved by the Governor June 8, 2015, Chapter 387.

    official legislative record

    For: Silver State Opportunity Grant

  22. SB 227 (2015), enrolled text (document)

    Nevada Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The version sent to the governor. Its first line names the sponsors: Senators Kieckhefer, Kihuen, Harris and Woodhouse.

    official legislative record

    For: Silver State Opportunity Grant

  23. SB 227 (2015), Senate yes votes on final passagehttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/78th2015/Bill/GetBillVoteMembers?voteKey=2393&voteResultPanel=Yea

    Nevada Legislature · Published May 22, 2015 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The 20 senators who voted yes (it passed 20 to 1). Aaron Ford is one of them.

    official legislative record

    For: Silver State Opportunity Grant

  24. Nevada Senate members, 2015 sessionhttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Legislator/A/Senate/78th2015

    Nevada Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Lists Aaron D. Ford as Minority Leader.

    official legislative record

    For: Silver State Opportunity Grant

  25. Nevada Senate members, 2017 sessionhttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Legislator/A/Senate/79th2017

    Nevada Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Lists Aaron D. Ford as Majority Leader.

    official legislative record

    For: Silver State Opportunity Grant

  26. NRS 396.950 to 396.960, Silver State Opportunity Grant Programhttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-396.html

    Nevada Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The grant law. Its history notes show it was added in 2015 and changed in 2019 and 2021, not in 2017.

    official legislative record

    For: Silver State Opportunity Grant

  27. SB 391 (2017), Nevada Promise Scholarshiphttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/79th2017/Bill/FillSelectedBillTab?selectedTab=Overview&billKey=5449

    Nevada Legislature · Published Jun 8, 2017 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Bill history: lets community colleges award Nevada Promise Scholarships. Aaron Ford is one of its eight primary sponsors. Approved by the Governor June 8, 2017, Chapter 461.

    official legislative record

    For: Silver State Opportunity Grant

  28. SB 391 (2017), enrolled text (document)

    Nevada Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The version sent to the governor. Its first line names Senators Denis, Cancela, Woodhouse, Segerblom and Ford, then Harris and Ratti.

    official legislative record

    For: Silver State Opportunity Grant

  29. SB 170 (2015), data center tax breakshttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/78th2015/Bill/FillSelectedBillTab?selectedTab=Overview&billKey=1539

    Nevada Legislature · Published Jun 9, 2015 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Bill history: a partial tax break for new or expanding data centers. Primary sponsors Senators Roberson, Ford, Lipparelli and Harris and Assembly members Kirkpatrick and Hambrick. Approved by the Governor June 9, 2015, Chapter 498.

    official legislative record

    For: Data center tax breaks

  30. SB 170 (2015), enrolled text (document)

    Nevada Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The version sent to the governor. Its first line names Senators Roberson, Ford, Lipparelli and Harris.

    official legislative record

    For: Data center tax breaks

  31. SB 170 (2015), Senate yes votes on final passagehttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/78th2015/Bill/GetBillVoteMembers?voteKey=1508&voteResultPanel=Yea

    Nevada Legislature · Published Apr 8, 2015 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The 21 senators who voted yes on April 8, 2015 (21 to 0). Aaron Ford is one of them.

    official legislative record

    For: Data center tax breaks

  32. Statutes of Nevada 2015, Chapter 498https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/78th2015/Stats201528.html

    Nevada Legislature · Published Jun 9, 2015 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The session law for SB 170, approved June 9, 2015. It starts on page 3041; page 3042 is the page the data center law's history cites.

    official legislative record

    For: Data center tax breaks

  33. NRS 360.754, data center tax breakhttps://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-360.html

    Nevada Legislature · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    The data center tax break in state law today. Its history note says it was added in 2015 (page 3042, SB 170) and changed in 2017, 2019 and 2021.

    official legislative record

    For: Data center tax breaks

  34. State attorneys general letter to Congress on PBM reform, February 20, 2024 (document)

    Alaska Department of Law · Published Feb 20, 2024 · Reviewed Sep 25, 2026

    Letter to congressional leaders asking for PBM reform and naming three bills, including the DRUG Act. Aaron D. Ford signed as Nevada Attorney General.

    official office record

    For: Asking Congress to rein in drug middlemen

  35. State attorneys general letter to Congress on PBM-owned pharmacies, April 14, 2025 (document)

    California Department of Justice · Published Apr 14, 2025 · Reviewed Sep 25, 2026

    Letter asking Congress to bar PBMs and their affiliates from owning or running pharmacies. Aaron D. Ford signed as Nevada Attorney General. The signature page is read by OCR.

    official office record

    For: Asking Congress to rein in drug middlemen

  36. 2026 general election ballot order (document)

    Clark County Election Department · Published Aug 24, 2026 · Reviewed Sep 23, 2026

    Dated August 24, 2026. Lists the three candidates for governor and the separate 'None of these candidates' line. NPP means No Political Party. The county says the order may still change.

    official election record

    For: Clark County posts the ballot order