RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Some primary race results called early last night set the stage for a competitive November General Election.
Incumbent Governor Joe Lombardo easily won on the Republican Ticket. His opponent Aaron Ford defeated Alexis Hill by a wide margin. This governor’s race will be one of the most anticipated nationwide in November.
In the Attorney General’s race, Nicole Cannizzaro, Nevada Senate Majority Leader was pronounced the victor against state treasurer Zach Conine by early evening. She will face Adriana Guzman Fralick who had no trouble winning the most votes on the Republican ticket.
Former Assembly Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson easily made it to the November Election for Congressional District Two. Her opponent David Flippo came out on top on the Republican side against an established party favorite James Settlemeyer.
“I think we have legendarily seen money come into the state now you’ve got CD Two,” says Professor Fred Lokken a political science professor with Truckee Meadows Community College. “Which has never been a race that is going to be a nationally financed race. The number of tens of millions will come into that campaign could just shock all of us.”
That money will be reflected in campaign ads.
Lokken says voters will not get a break this summer as money from all kinds of sources will be spent.
With a 27% turnout here in Washoe County, Lokken says expect these candidates’ messaging to be altered as well. The primary tends to have party members circle the wagons and head to the voting booth.
The non-partisan voter will be part of the mix for the general election. No candidate can win without them.
The candidates could soften their stance on issues or change their position all together.
“There are a whole lot of opinions out there that will not mesh unless they are moderated for the fall,” says Lokken. “So, it has an impact in selecting the candidates and it has an impact in the candidates having to pivot the primary agenda and their fall running agenda.”
What will not change says Lokken is acceptance of mail-in voting.
It has increased voter participation here in Nevada and those who do not go to the polls will either drop off their ballots or mail them off with an appropriate post mark to be counted.
However, as Washoe County Registrar Andrew McDonald says it’s not the most efficient, but as far as his office is concerned every legal vote will be counted.
In close races, however we might not have a declared winner on Election Night, November 3. 2026.
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