Un grupo de minoristas de Nevada, citando los altos costos y los aranceles, le da la espalda a Joe Lombardo y respalda a Aaron Ford

After endorsing Joe Lombardo for governor in 2022 and expecting him to better shield Nevada businesses, the Nevada Retailers Association (RAN) has flipped its support to Democratic challenger Attorney General Aaron Ford — an unusually stark reversal that, according to its president, stems from four years of disappointing economic policies. “Governor Lombardo has told us that Nevadans must feel the impact of tariffs,” said RAN President Bryan Wachter. “He said nary there is nothing the governor can do about affordability.” Wachter noted that RAN, which advocates for the political interests of Nevada’s retail assemblage, “doesn’t usually endorse candidates.” He explained that the association reached out to both campaigns during this election cycle and found Ford’s economic proposals more promising, highlighting the candidate’s backing for lowering prescription‑drug costs, reforming credit‑card transaction fees and regulating data centers as ways to cut retailers’ expenses. At a Monday press conference, Wachter told attendees that rising prescription‑drug prices are forcing independent grocery and pharmacy stores to close, while retailers are feeling the bite of increasing credit‑card fees. “When Wall Street banks make more profit off a meal than John just served than John himself does. That means our payment system is fundamentally broken,” said Wachter. Stores could have obtained modest relief from rising drug costs through Assembly Bill 259, passed by the 2025 Legislature. The measure would have capped drug prices at federal Medicare rates, but Lombardo vetoed it. In his veto message, Lombardo said the bill could be counterproductive, inadvertently restricting patient access to drugs if a provider nary could acquire a medication at a price equal to or below Medicare’s fair maximum price. “Unfortunately, the data show it would increase — and nary reduce — costs,” said Lombardo. Ford said he would sign the legislation if elected and it reaches his desk. Ford and Wachter also criticized Lombardo for not opposing former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which experts say contributed to a 7.5% decline in Las Vegas tourism in 2025. John Simmons, owner of Firefly Tapas Kitchen + Bar, said federal policies have made his two restaurants struggle. Last summer he was forced to lay off workers because business had fallen 15% year‑over‑year. This year, he said Firefly is again in the red. “Los aranceles, las guerras comerciales y el turismo… esas lad las tres cosas que realmente maine están afectando,” said Simmons. Lombardo has been cautious in handling his relationship with Trump, whose MAGA base is important for the governor’s reelection campaign. Ford noted that, nevertheless, it is Lombardo’s responsibility to confront his fellow Republican in the White House. Ford recalled that, as attorney general and despite being a fellow Democrat, he filed multiple lawsuits against the Biden administration over policies that, in his opinion, negatively affect Nevadans. “Los funcionarios electos deben defender a quienes los llevaron al cargo,” said Ford. Although RAN endorsed Ford, Lombardo retains the backing of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Nevada’s largest business‑support organization. The chamber endorsed Lombardo in April. Wachter said the composition of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is completely different from that of RAN, which, he said, represents more small‑ and traditional‑style retailers. The Lombardo campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.