Governor Nevada in Statewide, Nevada

2026 Primary Election

• Sunshine Arterburn — Candidate for Governor in NV

  Sunshine Arterburn is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Nevada, seeking election in the 2026 cycle. She is scheduled to appear on the Democratic primary ballot on June 9, 2026. Arterburn is one of several candidates competing for the Democratic nomination for the state's highest office. She has been featured by local media in their "Know Your Candidates" series, participating in interviews designed to help voters learn more about those on the primary ballot and make informed decisions. While specific policy positions are not detailed in available information, her campaign is centered on securing the party's nomination.

• Miqehl Bayfield — Candidate for Governor in Reno, NV

  Miqehl Bayfield is a Democratic candidate for Nevada Governor in the 2026 primary election. A Nevada native raising her children in the state, she was shaped by an upbringing of economic strain and reliance on public services. Her personal experience as a young mother navigating mental health challenges and social services drives her campaign for disciplined and transparent government. Bayfield advocates for modernizing state operations, strengthening fiscal accountability, protecting existing abortion rights and civil marriage, ensuring responsible water management, and opposing penalties for legal cannabis purchasers. She is currently studying Human Resources, focusing on organizational accountability.

• Emile Bouari — Businessman in NV

  Emile Bouari is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Nevada in the 2026 primary election. He is a businessman with a Master’s degree in international relations, not a career politician. Bouari's background includes military service in the U.S. Army, where he led personnel in high-risk environments, and a professional career in regulated laboratory operations, focused on strict compliance and precision impacting public health and safety. His platform emphasizes a government that serves with strength, integrity, and truth, advocating for sound policy, fiscal discipline, and championing small businesses and innovation to ensure broad opportunity. Bouari pledges a no-nonsense approach to governance, aiming to cut inefficiencies, enforce accountability, and deliver results for Nevada.

• James Cooper — Candidate for Governor in NV

  James Cooper is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Nevada in the 2026 election cycle. He is participating in the Democratic primary scheduled for June 9, 2026, with the general election to follow on November 3, 2026. His campaign, "Cooper for Governor," focuses on advocating for real solutions in areas such as housing, healthcare, jobs, and accountability. He presents his platform as being "For You. For Your Family. For Nevada." News outlets have featured him in their "Know Your Candidates" segments, highlighting his participation in the Democratic primary against multiple contenders.

• Aaron D. Ford — Incumbent Attorney General in NV

  Aaron D. Ford is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Nevada in 2026. Born in Dallas, Texas, he was the first in his family to graduate college, later earning five degrees including a Ph.D. and a J.D. Ford, who relied on food stamps and Medicaid growing up and as a single father, became a public school teacher and served as Nevada's Senate Majority Leader. He made history as the state's first Black Attorney General, tackling opioid profiteers, corporate landlords, and protecting reproductive freedom. He is running for governor to ensure every Nevada family can get ahead, focusing on housing affordability, public safety, and the cost of living.

• Alexis Hill — Incumbent Chair of Washoe County Commission in Reno, NV

  Alexis Hill is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Nevada in the 2026 primary. A native of Sparks and former city planner, she currently serves as Chair of the Washoe County Commission, a position she has held since 2023, and as a Commissioner since 2020. Hill is known as a "Technocratic Progressive" and an "Election Protector." She is running to modernize the state's revenue with a "Fair Share Tax Package for Billionaires & Corporations," freeze residential rent increases, and offset federal SNAP cuts. Hill aims to put Nevadans first, offering real solutions for change. She is married and resides in Reno.

• Donald J. "donald Jr." Beaudry Jr. — Financial Markets Engineer and Hedge Fund Manager in Las Vegas, NV

  Donald J. Beaudry Jr., known as Donald Jr., is a financial markets engineer and hedge fund manager seeking to become Governor of Nevada in the 2026 Primary Election. With decades of experience in global financial markets, he founded BlkEdgeAi and previously WOA UK and WOA Technology. His central platform is to eliminate all Nevada state taxes and fees through the creation of NGEX, a state-owned financial exchange designed to generate revenue from global markets. He also advocates for lowering the cost of living, protecting constitutional freedoms, strengthening election integrity, and reducing corruption, aiming to improve the lives of Nevada's citizens by applying his financial expertise to state governance. He is based in Las Vegas and aligns with Trump supporters.

• Irina Hansen — Entrepreneur, Realtor in Las Vegas, NV

  Irina Hansen, a seasoned entrepreneur, longtime Realtor, and mother of three, is a Nevada resident running for Governor in 2026. Her campaign is driven by personal experiences with what she describes as state overregulation and judicial corruption, which she claims impacted her salon business. She aims to restore trust in government, fight corruption, and bring transparency, accountability, and real reforms, putting Nevadans first. Her platform includes judicial oversight, term limits for judges, and absolute opposition to government mandates, drawing parallels to Romanian communism. She positions herself as a "Grievance-to-Governance" candidate and a fighter against political insiders, seeking to make Nevada safe again.

• M. Kameron Hawkins — Candidate for Governor in NV

  M. Kameron Hawkins, a Republican, is running for Governor of Nevada in the 2026 election. His campaign emphasizes a vision beyond partisan rhetoric, focusing on the tangible needs of all Nevadans with transparency and pragmatism. He champions sustainable economic growth, aiming to preserve the state's independent spirit by fostering local innovation and protecting natural resources. Hawkins advocates for a "listen-first" strategy, prioritizing localized empowerment and fiscal accountability to create an accessible, responsive, and efficient government. His platform, "Your Voice, Your Governor," seeks to involve the public as a partner in decision-making for Nevada's future.

• Joseph Lombardo — Incumbent Governor in NV

  Joseph Lombardo is the incumbent 31st Governor of Nevada, serving since 2023. A Republican, he is seeking his party's nomination for Governor in the 2026 primary election. Lombardo has a long and distinguished career in public service, including service in the U.S. Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve. He dedicated two decades to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department before being elected Clark County Sheriff in 2014, a position he held until 2023. He earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in crisis management from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

• Matthew R. Winterhawk — Co-founder of SmartSlaps™ Foundation and manager of Wujia RA Limited in NV

  Matthew R. Winterhawk, a Republican, is campaigning for Governor of Nevada in the 2026 primary election. Born in Kansas City, Kansas, he holds a high school diploma and an associate's degree from Johnson County Community College (2001). His professional background includes co-founding the SmartSlaps™ Foundation and managing Wujia RA Limited, a family-owned music and media label. Winterhawk's platform emphasizes strengthening election integrity by ending universal mail ballots, restoring school safety standards, advocating for parental rights in education, supporting long-term drought mitigation, incentivizing first-time Nevada home buyers, and opposing sanctuary policies.

• Jose M. Zelaya — Small business owner and Secretary of the Nevada Hispanic Construction Alliance in Las Vegas, NV

  Jose Zelaya, a Nevada entrepreneur and community leader, is running as a Republican for Governor in 2026. Born in El Salvador, he immigrated to the U.S. at age four and has called Las Vegas home since 2003. With over 25 years of professional experience, he owns a gate automation company and serves as Secretary of the Nevada Hispanic Construction Alliance. A husband and father, Zelaya advocates for integrity and service. His platform focuses on supporting veterans, strengthening mental health, improving education, and expanding affordable housing. He also aims to combat crime, expand healthcare access, grow Nevada's lithium economy, deliver tax relief, and increase government transparency.

• Barak Zilberberg — Entrepreneur and real estate investor in Las Vegas, NV

  Barak Zilberberg, a Republican, is running for Governor of Nevada in the primary on June 9, 2026. Born in Los Angeles, California, he lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. His career experience includes entrepreneurship, real estate investment with Zilberberg International, management, and construction consulting. He also founded the Zilberberg Foundation. Zilberberg's campaign motto is "We the People, For the People, With the People." He is challenging incumbent Governor Joe Lombardo and other Republicans. He has publicly addressed his position on non-criminal individuals without legal status remaining in Nevada. Zilberberg has also indicated a future presidential candidacy for 2028.

• Christopher Battenberg — Candidate for Governor in NV

  Christopher Battenberg is a candidate running for Governor of Nevada in the 2026 election. He is affiliated with no political party and is listed among the nonpartisan candidates. He is slated to appear on the general election ballot on November 3, 2026, and is not participating in the June 9, 2026, primary election. The upcoming gubernatorial election is expected to address key state-level issues such as housing costs, rapid growth, water scarcity, education challenges, and the state’s economic future.

• Jordan Koteras — Candidate for Governor in NV

  Jordan Koteras is an independent candidate seeking the office of Governor of Nevada in the 2026 general election, scheduled for November 3, 2026. Running without affiliation to a major political party, Koteras is among several independent candidates challenging the established party lines. The primary election will precede the general election on June 9, 2026. Specific policy positions or a detailed professional background are not widely published in available information. Koteras is focused on the gubernatorial race in Nevada.

• Allen Rheinhart — Candidate for Governor in Las Vegas, NV

  Allen Rheinhart is an independent candidate seeking the office of Governor of Nevada in the 2026 election. He is recognized as a perennial candidate who has filed his candidacy in the Las Vegas office. He is expected to appear on the general election ballot on November 3, 2026. Available information does not detail specific policy positions or a professional background beyond his political aspirations.

• Emilio R. Rodriguez — Candidate for Governor in NV

  Emilio R. Rodriguez is a political candidate preparing for the 2026 Nevada gubernatorial election. He is campaigning for Governor of Nevada and is slated to appear on the general election ballot on November 3, 2026. Rodriguez is running as a candidate with no declared political party affiliation, meaning he will bypass the primary elections and stand as an independent in the general election. Public records do not provide specific details regarding his professional background or policy positions at this time.

• John T. Scott — Economist in NV

  John T. Scott is an Independent candidate running for Governor of Nevada in the 2026 general election, scheduled for November 3. Scott's professional background includes experience as an economist. He is a graduate of Centennial High School. Scott has completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, offering insights into his platform, though specific policy details were not provided in the search results. He is among the nonpartisan candidates vying for the state's top executive position.