Nevada’s top cop wins Dem primary, takes on Gov Lombardo

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford defeated Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill in Tuesday's Democratic primary, advancing to a showdown with Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo in one of the nation's most competitive governor's races. Ford entered the race as the Democratic frontrunner in a field that included Hill, Sunshine Arterburn, Miqehl Bayfield, Emile Bouari and James Cooper. Before becoming [Nevada's first Black attorney general](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/likely-democratic-gubernatorial-candidate-key-swing-state-praises-dei-sharpton-event-stay-woke), he served in the Nevada Legislature, where he led the chamber as majority leader. [**REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR TARGETED BY DEMOCRATS LAUNCHES RE-ELECTION BID IN KEY BATTLEGROUND**](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republican-governor-targeted-democrats-launches-re-election-bid-key-battleground) [Housing affordability](https://www.foxnews.com/category/real-estate) emerged as a key issue in Ford's campaign, with Ford pledging to lower costs and expand access to housing, according to his campaign website. Ford's primary victory comes as the two-term attorney general faces growing criticism over his extensive travel record. [**DEM SENATOR REVEALS HOW SHE NARROWLY WON KEY STATE THAT TRUMP FLIPPED: ‘BE PRACTICAL TO FIND RESULTS'**](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-senator-reveals-how-she-narrowly-won-key-state-trump-flipped-be-practical-find-results) State records reviewed by Fox News Digital in March found Ford accumulated more than $410,000 in [travel costs since taking office](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-gubernatorial-candidate-racked-up-eye-popping-travel-bill-ag-during-400-days-traveling-out-of-state) in 2019, while local outlets have reported he spent more than 100 days outside Nevada during his tenure. A spokesperson for the attorney general's office defended the travel, saying the trips were tied to Ford's official duties and campaign activities, including coordinating with [law](https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/executive/law) enforcement agencies across the country, and were permitted under Nevada law. [**REPUBLICANS CUT INTO DEM VOTER REGISTRATION ADVANTAGE IN CRUCIAL SWING STATE AS EARLY VOTE WRAPS UP**](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-topple-democrat-voter-registration-advantage-in-crucial-swing-state-as-early-vote-wraps-up) Ford is also under investigation by the Nevada Commission on Ethics over whether he solicited improper gifts or used his office to improperly benefit himself, according to documents recovered [by local outlets](https://news3lv.com/news/local/nevada-ethics-panel-advances-complaint-against-attorney-general-aaron-ford). Nevada's gubernatorial race is expected to be one of the [most closely watched contests](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-have-chance-secure-governorships-key-battleground-states-next-year) of the midterm elections as Democrats attempt to reclaim control of the governor's office in the Silver State. Lombardo, who defeated Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak in 2022, is seeking a second term and will face the Democratic nominee in November. _Fox News Digital's Leo Briceno contributed to this report._