Democrat · Nevada governor · 2026
Aaron Ford
Ford was a young single father who used Medicaid and food assistance while building a future for himself and his son.
Biography
Aaron Ford was a young single father relying on Medicaid and food stamps before he became Nevada's attorney general.1 His father stocked produce at Safeway and his mother took odd jobs; Ford later married his college sweetheart, Berna Rhodes-Ford, and they raised four children.12
Ford's early career included teaching public school mathematics, and his five academic degrees include a doctorate in educational administration and a law degree from Ohio State.12 He went on to practice law, serve as Nevada Senate majority leader and become the state's first Black attorney general in 2019.1 Berna is also an attorney, and their sons are Avery, Devin, Aaron II and Alexander.2
His office negotiated opioid settlements that included a $285 million agreement with Walgreens in 2023, bringing Nevada's anticipated payments at that point to more than $1.1 billion over multiple years.3 The settlement money was designated to address the opioid crisis.4 His current education agenda includes universal school meals, more literacy coaches, broader preschool access and competitive teacher pay.5 He also wants more career and technical programs and instruction preparing students for jobs in AI and cybersecurity.5
Ford is challenging Republican Governor Joe Lombardo while promising more school funding, restrictions on corporate home purchases and protections for abortion access.6 He also promises no new taxes, leaving a significant financing question around his goal of bringing school spending to the national average.6
Record and controversies
Ethics referral
On February 11, 2026, a Nevada ethics review panel found credible evidence sufficient to refer consolidated complaints about Ford to the full commission for an opinion.7 The allegations concern sponsored travel and use of official social media to promote his campaign; his office said he respected the process and expected a finding that he followed ethics rules.8 The commission’s public opinions page lists the matter as a referral for opinion, not a final merits ruling.9