New PAC behind mailer calling Danielle Ford the 'AOC of Nevada' has apparent ties to Republican operatives

What happened

A campaign mailer describing nonpartisan Nevada governor candidate Danielle Ford as the "AOC of Nevada" was paid for by a newly formed political action committee that appears to have ties to Republican operatives, The Nevada Independent reported. The mailer shows a cutout of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) beside Ford on a red background.

The group behind it, the Silver State Accountability PAC, was created on Oct. 8, according to the outlet. The Nevada Independent reported the PAC had no online presence and that the website listed on its registration paperwork was still under construction as of Tuesday.

Who is behind the PAC

How the shadow PAC loophole works

The Nevada Independent described the group as a "shadow PAC" because it was set up after Sept. 30. That timing missed the state's campaign finance reporting deadline, which means the PAC avoids reporting its donors before Election Day. The outlet reported that the address on the registration form is tied to a mailbox rental business in the same commercial complex as Gov. Joe Lombardo's campaign office.

Registered agent and treasurer

Hope Hohnke is listed as the PAC's registered agent. When reached by The Nevada Independent, Hohnke, who lives in Oklahoma, said she was not the point person and referred reporters to the PAC's chairman, Dustin McIntyre. She did not answer questions about her party registration, the group's purpose or any ties to the Republican Party.

McIntyre did not return an email seeking comment, the outlet reported. He is listed as treasurer for nearly 80 PACs nationwide, most with Republican ties, including Save Nevada NOW, a PAC run by Assm. Lisa Cole (R-Las Vegas). The Nevada Independent reported that other PACs McIntyre registered have sent attack mailers against Nevada Democrats in recent weeks.

Why the same last name matters

A tossup governor's race

Danielle Ford, a member of the state board of education and a former Clark County School District trustee, has raised relatively little in her independent bid, according to the outlet. She shares a last name with Attorney General Aaron Ford, the Democratic nominee, which The Nevada Independent noted could confuse voters. With recent polling showing a tossup, the outlet reported that boosting her among left-leaning voters could be an attempt to muddy the waters. Earlier coverage of the tight governor's race poll has more on the contest.

The tactic has a Nevada precedent. In 2022, Democratic groups spent six figures boosting a "Patriot Freedom Fund" shadow PAC that attacked then-candidate Lombardo from the right, the outlet reported.

Campaign responses

Aaron Ford campaign spokesperson Tai Sims called Danielle Ford a "MAGA plant being propped up by Joe Lombardo's Republican allies," according to The Nevada Independent. Lombardo campaign spokesperson Halee Dobbins told the outlet the campaign had no knowledge of the PAC or the mailer.

Danielle Ford's record

The Nevada Independent reported that Ford does not appear to have previously linked herself to Ocasio-Cortez's politics. The outlet reported she has embraced conspiracy theories, opposed vaccines and voted against mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for school district employees. As a trustee, she called Black students "colored" during a community meeting about racist threats against a local school, prompting calls for her resignation, according to the outlet.

Commenters on her Facebook videos have called her "our AOC," and her page liked or hearted those comments, the outlet reported. Ford did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and neither did a representative for Ocasio-Cortez. More coverage is on our elections page.

What to watch next

• Whether Danielle Ford, PAC chairman Dustin McIntyre or Ocasio-Cortez's office respond to The Nevada Independent's requests for comment.
• Whether the Silver State Accountability PAC's website, listed as under construction, goes live.
• Because the PAC formed after the Sept. 30 deadline, its donors are not expected to be reported before Election Day.