The 2022 Nevada gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Nevada. Incumbent Democratic governor Steve Sisolak ran for re-election to a second term, but lost in the general election to Republican Joe Lombardo, the Clark County Sheriff. This was the first time since 1966 that an incumbent Democratic governor lost reelection in Nevada, and the first since 1982 that any incumbent Governor of Nevada lost reelection.
Sisolak was the first Democrat to seek re-election to Nevada's governorship since Bob Miller in 1994, and was subsequently the only incumbent governor in the United States to lose re-election in 2022. Decision Desk HQ called the race for Lombardo on November 11.
Significantly, Lombardo's win marked the first time in the state's history that anyone had won the governorship without winning either Clark or Washoe counties, home to a combined 89% of the state's population. This was largely due to Lombardo's stronger performance in Clark, his home county; Sisolak's previous opponent, Adam Laxalt, lost the county by 13.3% there, while Lombardo only lost by 5.7%, a significant gain.
Political analysts have attributed Sisolak's defeat to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic; lockdowns during the pandemic proved unpopular in Nevada, which has a tourism-driven economy and a reputation for libertarian political leanings.
Amid a slate of failed gubernatorial pickup attempts, this was the only governorship Republicans flipped in the 2022 elections, as well as the only state governorship to flip to the party that did not carry that state in the 2020 presidential election. This was also the first time since Pat Quinn's defeat in the 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election that an incumbent Democratic governor lost re-election in any state.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Steve Sisolak, incumbent governor (2019–2023) and former Clark County Commissioner (2009–2019)
Eliminated in primary Tom Collins, former Clark County Commissioner (2005–2015) and former state assemblyman for the 1st District (1993–2001)
Declined Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Clark County Commissioner (2015–present)
Endorsements
Results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Joe Lombardo, sheriff of Clark County (2015–2023)
Eliminated in primary Seven Achilles Evans, businessman Gary "Radar" Evertsen Joey Gilbert, attorney and former boxer Eddie Hamilton, businessman and perennial candidate Tom Heck, retired Air Force officer and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016 and 2018 Dean Heller, former U.S. senator (2011–2019) and U.S. representative for (2007–2011) John Lee, mayor of North Las Vegas (2013–2022) Stan Lusak, candidate for governor in 2018 Guy Nohra, venture capitalist Edward O'Brien Fred J. Simon, small business owner and surgeon William "Dock" Walls, businessman and perennial candidate Amber Whitley Barak Zilberberg, real estate investor
Withdrew Michele Fiore, Las Vegas City Councilwoman (2017–2022) and former state assemblywoman for the 4th District (2012–2016) (ran for state treasurer and lost)
Declined Mark Amodei, U.S. representative for (2011–present) (ran for re-election and won) Heidi Gansert, state senator from the 15th district (2016–2024) Rick Harrison, businessman and reality television personality Mark Hutchison, former lieutenant governor of Nevada (2015–2019) (endorsed Lombardo) Ben Kieckhefer, state senator from the 16th district (2010–2021), member of the Nevada Gaming Commission (2021–2023) Adam Laxalt, former Nevada Attorney General (2015–2019) and nominee for governor in 2018 (ran for the U.S. Senate and lost) Derek Stevens, casino owner
Debates 2022 Nevada gubernatorial Republican primary election debatesDateOrganizerLocationKey: Participant Absent Non-invitee Invitee WithdrawnSourceMichele FioreJoey GilbertTom HeckDean HellerJohn LeeJoe LombardoGuy NohraFred SimonBarak Zilberberg1January 6, 2022Nevada Commonwealth & Sierra Republican ClubAtlantis Casino Resort Spa, Reno P P P P P A P P P2February 8, 2022Clark County Republican ClubDragon Ridge Country Club, Henderson P P N P P A P P N3April 20, 2022Republican Women of Las VegasLas Vegas W P N P P A P P N4May 26, 20228 News NowLas Vegas W P N P P P P N N Nevada Race for Governor, Republican Primary Debate
Endorsements
Polling Graphical summary
Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated JoeyGilbert DeanHeller JohnLee JoeLombardo GuyNohra FredSimon OtherMarginReal Clear PoliticsReal Clear PoliticsApril 25 – June 7, 2022June 10, 202218.3%14.7%11.5%33.0%7.5%3.5%11.5%Lombardo +14.7 Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MicheleFiore JoeyGilbert DeanHeller JohnLee JoeLombardo GuyNohra FredSimon None of TheseCandidates Other UndecidedOH Predictive InsightsOH Predictive InsightsJune 6–7, 2022525 (LV)± 4.4%–21%10%10%34%6%4%3%4%7%University of Nevada RenoUniversity of Nevada RenoMay 17–27, 2022368 (LV)± 5.9%–12%14%9%47%2%3%–13%–OH Predictive InsightsOH Predictive InsightsMay 10–12, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%–15%11%9%35%3%3%4%5%14%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeApril 30 – May 2, 20221,000 (LV)± 3.0%–14%11%10%33%4%2%–3%25%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)April 25–28, 20221,071 (LV)± 3.0%–18%18%13%26%9%3%–7%6% March 17, 2022 Fiore withdraws from the raceWPA Intelligence (R)WPA Intelligence (R)March 13–15, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%5%9%22%13%28%1%––2%17%Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D)March 7–8, 2022580 (LV)± 4.1%8%12%13%13%26%1%–––27%OH Predictive InsightsOH Predictive InsightsJanuary 19–26, 2022230 (RV)± 6.5%8%7%9%5%28%1%2%–1%36%The Tarrance Group (R)November 7–9, 2021500 (LV)± 4.5%8%7%19%5%37%0%3%–1%37%The Mellman Group (D)The Mellman Group (D)September 15–22, 2021400 (LV)± 4.9%–11%31%3%23%0%1%3%0%27%The Tarrance Group (R)July 2021– (LV)––7%27%13%22%1%–––28%
Results
Libertarian primary Candidates Declared Brandon Davis, advertising agency owner
Independent American primary Candidates Declared Ed Bridges, nominee for Nevada's 3rd congressional district in 2020
Independents Candidates Declared Bradley Beck, geologist Austin Billings, logistics professional Monique Richardson, pastor
General election Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report March 4, 2022Inside Elections September 23, 2022 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 7, 2022PoliticoApril 1, 2022 RCPJanuary 10, 2022Fox News May 12, 2022538November 7, 2022Elections DailyNovember 7, 2022
Post-primary endorsements
Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated SteveSisolak (D) JoeLombardo (R) UndecidedMarginReal Clear PoliticsReal Clear PoliticsSeptember 26 – November 6, 2022November 6, 202244.3%46.9%8.8%Lombardo +2.6FiveThirtyEightFiveThirtyEightSeptember 15, 2021 – November 6, 2022November 6, 202244.9%46.6%8.5%Lombardo +1.7Average44.6%46.8%8.6%Lombardo +2.2
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error SteveSisolak (D) JoeLombardo (R) None of TheseCandidates Other UndecidedThe Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)November 5–7, 20221,089 (LV)± 2.9%46%49%–3%2%Research Co.Research Co.November 4–6, 2022450 (LV)± 4.6%45%47%–3%5%Data for Progress (D)Data for Progress (D)November 2–6, 20221,100 (LV)± 3.0%46%48%2%5%–InsiderAdvantage (R)InsiderAdvantage (R)November 4, 2022550 (LV)± 4.2%44%49%–4%4%KAConsulting (R)KAConsulting (R)November 2–3, 2022501 (LV)± 4.4%43%45%–2%10%Cygnal (R)Cygnal (R)November 1–2, 2022600 (LV)–42%47%––5%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeOctober 26–29, 20222,000 (LV)± 2.1%45%49%––3%46%50%–––Suffolk UniversitySuffolk UniversityOctober 24–28, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%43%43%4%5%6%OH Predictive InsightsOH Predictive InsightsOctober 24–27, 2022600 (LV)± 4.0%45%41%1%4%9%Susquehanna Polling and Research (R)Susquehanna Polling and Research (R)October 24–27, 2022500 (LV)± 4.3%44%45%1%3%7%Echelon InsightsEchelon InsightsOctober 24–26, 2022500 (LV)± 4.9%44%45%–4%7%45%48%––6%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)October 21–24, 20221,100 (LV)± 2.9%44%51%–3%2%Siena Research/NYTSiena Research/NYTOctober 19–24, 2022885 (LV)± 4.2%45%49%–<1%5%Phillips AcademyPhillips AcademyOctober 22–23, 20221,052 (LV)± 3.0%50%45%––5%InsiderAdvantage (R)InsiderAdvantage (R)October 20, 2022550 (LV)± 4.2%43%49%–4%5%CBS News/YouGovCBS News/YouGovOctober 14–19, 20221,057 (LV)± 4.4%48%48%–4%–Data for Progress (D)Data for Progress (D)October 13–19, 2022819 (LV)± 3.0%47%48%–3%2%BSP Research/Shaw & Co.BSP Research/Shaw & Co.October 12–19, 20221,000 (RV)± 3.1%43%41%–6%10%University of Nevada, RenoUniversity of Nevada, RenoOctober 5–19, 2022585 (LV)± 4.0%47%45%–4%5%Rasmussen Reports (R)Rasmussen Reports (R)October 13–17, 2022707 (LV)± 4.0%42%47%–7%4%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk UniversityOctober 4–7, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%43%44%2%4%7%CNN/SSRSCNN/SSRSSeptember 26 – October 2, 2022926 (RV)± 4.7%46%46%5%2%–828 (LV)± 5.0%46%48%4%2%–OH Predictive InsightsOH Predictive InsightsSeptember 20–29, 2022741 (LV)± 3.6%42%45%5%3%5%Big Data PollBig Data PollSeptember 18–20, 20221,000 (LV)± 3.0%40%42%–5%13%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)September 17–20, 20221,086 (LV)± 2.9%45%48%–5%3%Data for Progress (D)Data for Progress (D)September 14–19, 2022874 (LV)± 3.0%45%45%–7%3%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeSeptember 8–10, 2022750 (LV)± 3.4%40%40%–4%12%Fabrizio Ward (R)/Impact Research (D)Fabrizio Ward (R)/Impact Research (D)August 16–24, 20221,332 (LV)± 4.4%41%38%3%7%10%46%48%––6%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)August 15–18, 20221,082 (LV)± 2.9%44%46%–4%6%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk UniversityAugust 14–17, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%43%40%2%5%10%Beacon Research (D)Beacon Research (D)July 5–20, 2022479 (RV)± 4.5%49%39%–1%6%301 (LV)± 5.6%48%46%–2%3%Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeJuly 7–10, 20222,000 (RV)± 2.1%44%40%–9%7%The Tarrance Group (R)July 5–10, 2022600 (LV)± 4.1%46%44%5%–5%Change Research (D)Change Research (D)June 24–27, 2022701 (LV)± 3.7%46%43%––11%WPA Intelligence (R)WPA Intelligence (R)June 4–6, 2022502 (LV)± 4.4%47%48%––5%University of Nevada, RenoUniversity of Nevada, RenoMay 17–27, 20221,091 (A)± 3.4%43%31%–11%16%OH Predictive InsightsOH Predictive InsightsApril 1–9, 2022748 (RV)± 4.4%44%35%––21%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk UniversityApril 2–6, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%37%39%6%–18%Blueprint Polling (D)Blueprint Polling (D) March 21–24, 2022671 (LV)± 3.8%40%43%––17%OH Predictive InsightsJanuary 19–26, 2022755 (RV)± 3.6%52%48%–––Impact Research (D)Impact Research (D)December 1–7, 2021800 (LV)± 3.7%47%45%––8%OnMessage Inc. (R)November 16–18, 2021600 (LV)± 4.0%41%51%––8%The Mellman Group (D)September 15–22, 2021600 (LV)± 4.0%45%44%3%–8%
Steve Sisolak vs. Joey Gilbert Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error SteveSisolak (D) JoeyGilbert (R) None of TheseCandidates Other UndecidedUniversity of Nevada, RenoMay 17–27, 20221,090 (A)± 3.4%43%17%–20%19%OH Predictive InsightsApril 1–9, 2022748 (RV)± 4.4%45%31%––24%Suffolk UniversityApril 2–6, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%39%35%4%–21% Steve Sisolak vs. Dean Heller Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error SteveSisolak (D) DeanHeller (R) None of TheseCandidates Other UndecidedUniversity of Nevada, RenoMay 17–27, 20221,094 (A)± 3.4%44%21%–16%18%OH Predictive InsightsApril 1–9, 2022748 (RV)± 4.4%46%33%––21%Suffolk UniversityApril 2–6, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%39%39%7%–15%OH Predictive InsightsJanuary 19–26, 2022755 (RV)± 3.6%54%46%–––Impact Research (D)December 1–7, 2021800 (LV)± 3.7%47%44%––8%The Trafalgar Group (R)The Trafalgar Group (R)November 24–29, 20211,034 (LV)± 3.0%40%47%––13%OnMessage Inc. (R)November 16–18, 2021600 (LV)± 4.0%43%49%––8%The Mellman Group (D)September 15–22, 2021600 (LV)± 4.0%46%43%3%–8% Steve Sisolak vs. John Lee Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error SteveSisolak (D) JohnLee (R) None of TheseCandidates UndecidedOH Predictive InsightsApril 1–9, 2022748 (RV)± 4.4%46%33%–21%Suffolk UniversityApril 2–6, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%37%40%5%18% Steve Sisolak vs. Guy Nohra