Democrats Pour $1 Million Into Nevada Races as 2028 Hopefuls Court Early Primary State
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 30
Democrats Pour $1 Million Into Nevada Races as 2028 Hopefuls Court Early Primary State
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 30
Summary
More than $1 million in Democratic money and fundraising has flowed into Nevada in recent weeks, with likely 2028 presidential contenders backing Attorney General Aaron Ford’s gubernatorial bid and the state party.
Nevada’s draw is strategic: it votes second in Democrats’ 2028 nominating calendar and is expected to be a key general-election battleground, making support for local campaigns an early test of national appeal.
JB Pritzker gave $400,000 to a DGA-linked Nevada PAC, Andy Beshear’s PAC added $250,000, and Gavin Newsom raised more than $160,000, while Josh Shapiro, Wes Moore, Cory Booker and others pledged or delivered additional support.
The money is being paired with visits: Moore campaigned in Las Vegas last weekend, Elissa Slotkin and Pete Buttigieg are due next week, and Gretchen Whitmer, Beshear, Rahm Emanuel, Mark Kelly, Ro Khanna and Kamala Harris also have Nevada events planned.
Ford’s allies say the help could strengthen both his statewide coalition and donors’ standing with Democratic primary voters, though Nevada operatives warn national surrogates must fit a purple-state race where Joe Lombardo has run competitively and Ford faces damaging pardon-related headlines.