Democratic group adds to record lieutenant governor spending as poll shows Lombardo and Ford separated by 1 point

What happened

The Nevada Independent published a roundup of new campaign developments on Tuesday. It covered fresh spending in the race for lieutenant governor, an internal poll in the governor's race and several findings from the latest campaign finance reports. It also reported on a state jobs press conference that the governor's office helped arrange.

Together, the items give voters a look at where money and messaging are going in Nevada's statewide and legislative contests. More election coverage is available as the campaign continues.

Record spending in the lieutenant governor race

The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association (DLGA) is putting another six figures behind Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui, a Las Vegas Democrat, according to The Nevada Independent. That brings the group's total investment in the race to $1.86 million, up from $1.75 million earlier this month. Jauregui is running against incumbent Republican Stavros Anthony.

Spanish-language ad on data center water use

The new money is paying for a Spanish-language ad focused on Jauregui's plan to limit how much water data centers use, The Indy reported. The ad was set to begin airing Tuesday. It runs alongside two other ads that criticize Anthony. Readers following state water issues can find related reporting in our water section.

Largest investment in state history

According to The Nevada Independent, the DLGA's spending remains the largest investment ever made in a Nevada lieutenant governor's race.

Governor's race polling

An internal polling memo from Global Strategy Group shows a close contest between Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, and Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat. The Indy reported the numbers but the memo is an internal poll, not an independent survey.

Head-to-head numbers

In a head-to-head matchup, Lombardo had 48 percent and Ford had 47 percent, according to the memo. Among registered nonpartisan and third-party voters, Lombardo had 46 percent and Ford had 45 percent. The memo described that group as "closely divided."

Favorability ratings

The memo said voters' impressions of Ford are improving and described Lombardo's image as "now negative." It cited an unfavorable rating of 42 percent for Ford and 47 percent for Lombardo.

Campaign finance findings

The Nevada Independent also highlighted details from the latest campaign finance reports. Some of the findings involve new donors entering state politics.

Waymo's first legislative donations

Waymo donated $65,000 across 20 legislative campaigns, which The Indy described as the first time the company has ever done so. Recipients included Senate Minority Leader Robin Titus, a Wellington Republican, and Assemblywoman Tracy Brown-May, a Las Vegas Democrat.

A donation attributed to a dead woman

The outlet also reported that David Flippo's campaign attributed a donation to a woman who had died. The newsletter did not provide further details on the contribution.

Questions about a state jobs press conference

Last week, officials with Nevada's employment agency held what The Indy called a rare press conference to promote new job numbers. The figures showed the state's unemployment rate at its lowest level since February 2020. When a Nevada Independent reporter asked whether the governor's office helped set up the event, Chris Sewell, director of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, said yes.

What to watch next

• The DLGA's Spanish-language ad on data center water use was set to begin airing Tuesday alongside two ads criticizing Stavros Anthony.
• The Nevada Independent said it will publish more campaign finance findings on legislative races later this week.
• The governor's race between Lombardo and Ford remains close, according to the Global Strategy Group memo.