Joe Lombardo

Joe Lombardo
Lombardo in 2024
Joe Lombardo
Born	Joseph Michael Lombardo 8 11, 1962
Birthplace	Sapporo, Japan
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, former law enforcement officer
Title	31st Governor of Nevada
Known for	31st Governor of Nevada, 17th Sheriff of Clark County
Education	University of Nevada, Las Vegas (BS, MS)
Children	1

Joseph Michael Lombardo (born November 8, 1962) is an American politician and former law enforcement officer serving as the 31st governor of Nevada since January 2, 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Lombardo spent more than three decades in law enforcement before entering electoral politics, rising through the ranks of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) to become the 17th sheriff of Clark County, a position he held from 2015 to 2023. As sheriff, he led one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the United States and oversaw the department's response to the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history. In 2022, Lombardo won the Republican nomination for governor and defeated incumbent Democratic governor Steve Sisolak in the general election, becoming the first Republican to hold the office since Brian Sandoval. As governor, Lombardo has engaged in interstate negotiations over water policy, federal energy subsidies, and state government operations.

Early Life

Joseph Michael Lombardo was born on November 8, 1962, in Sapporo, Japan. His family later relocated to the United States, and Lombardo moved to Las Vegas in 1976.

After settling in Las Vegas, Lombardo pursued a career in military service. He served in the Nevada National Guard and the United States Army Reserve from 1980 to 1986. His military background preceded and informed his subsequent career in law enforcement, providing him with leadership experience that would shape his professional trajectory.

Education

Lombardo attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree. His graduate education at UNLV provided an academic complement to his practical law enforcement experience, a combination that would later figure in his advancement through the LVMPD ranks.

Career

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Lombardo joined the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in 1988, beginning a 34-year career in law enforcement. Over the course of nearly three decades within the department prior to becoming sheriff, he rose through multiple ranks and divisions, accumulating extensive experience in various aspects of metropolitan policing.

In December 2013, Lombardo announced his candidacy for sheriff of Clark County, entering the race as a veteran of the department with broad institutional knowledge. The race drew attention as a contest among experienced LVMPD officers. In June 2014, Lombardo prevailed in the primary election, defeating fellow candidate Larry Burns to secure the path to the sheriff's office.

Sheriff of Clark County (2015–2023)

Lombardo was sworn in as the 17th sheriff of Clark County on January 5, 2015, succeeding Doug Gillespie. As sheriff, he headed one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the United States, responsible for policing the Las Vegas metropolitan area, including the Las Vegas Strip, one of the most visited tourist corridors in the world.

Early in his tenure, Lombardo implemented several organizational changes within the department. The Las Vegas Review-Journal documented three notable shifts since Lombardo took office, reflecting his approach to restructuring departmental operations and priorities.

Crime and Public Safety

During Lombardo's tenure as sheriff, Las Vegas experienced a notable increase in violent crime that became a central focus of his administration. In 2016, Lombardo publicly addressed the surge, stating that the rise in violent crime in Las Vegas was among his primary concerns. He pointed to several contributing factors, including what he described as a connection between California's criminal justice reforms and an influx of criminal activity into Nevada.

Lombardo also spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal about the spike in violent crime, fielding questions about departmental strategies and resource allocation to address the problem. He also publicly disagreed with then-FBI Director James Comey on the issue of police staffing, asserting that the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was understaffed despite federal assessments suggesting otherwise.

Firearms Policy

On the issue of firearms regulation, Lombardo expressed support for a ban on high-capacity magazines in 2016, calling such a ban "a must for Nevadans' safety." This position placed him at odds with some members of his own party on gun policy, although it reflected his perspective as a law enforcement leader concerned with public safety in a city that hosted large-scale events and gatherings.

2017 Las Vegas Shooting

On October 1, 2017, a gunman opened fire on attendees of the Route 91 Harvest music festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel, killing 60 people and wounding hundreds more in what became the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history. As sheriff of Clark County, Lombardo served as the primary public face of law enforcement during the crisis and its aftermath, delivering press briefings and overseeing the department's investigation into the attack.

The investigation drew scrutiny and criticism from various quarters. Lombardo faced allegations of inconsistencies in the official timeline of events, accusations of negligence in the department's response, and criticism that he exerted an overly tight control over communications that some observers said hindered transparency. The investigation remained a subject of public and media attention throughout the remainder of his tenure as sheriff.

Second Term as Sheriff

In 2018, Lombardo ran for reelection as Clark County sheriff and won, securing a second term. He was sworn into his second term in January 2019. During this period, he also shared broader insights on the challenges facing Clark County law enforcement in interviews with the Las Vegas Sun.

Gubernatorial Campaign (2022)

In early 2022, Lombardo announced his candidacy for governor of Nevada as a Republican, pledging to veto new taxes and adopt a law-and-order approach to governance. His candidacy drew on his long career in law enforcement and his experience managing one of the country's largest police departments.

Lombardo won the Republican primary and advanced to the general election against incumbent Democratic governor Steve Sisolak. The race was closely watched as one of several competitive gubernatorial contests nationwide. Lombardo ultimately defeated Sisolak, who conceded the race in November 2022. The Wall Street Journal reported on Lombardo's election as part of its coverage of the 2022 midterm elections.

Governor of Nevada (2023–present)

Lombardo took office as the 31st governor of Nevada on January 2, 2023, with Stavros Anthony serving as his lieutenant governor. His predecessor, Steve Sisolak, conceded the race prior to the inauguration.

Colorado River Negotiations

As governor, Lombardo has been involved in interstate water policy negotiations, a critical issue for Nevada as a state heavily dependent on the Colorado River for its water supply. In February 2026, Lombardo joined California Governor Gavin Newsom and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs in releasing a joint statement ahead of a federal deadline for Colorado River negotiations among the Lower Basin states. The negotiations involved the allocation and management of Colorado River water resources, a longstanding source of interstate negotiation in the American West.

Federal Relations and Energy Policy

Lombardo has maintained engagement with the federal government on issues affecting Nevada. In February 2026, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal officials and other governors to discuss Nevada's priorities, returning to the state to report on those discussions.

On energy policy, Lombardo's administration has been involved in negotiations related to federal solar energy subsidies. In a December agreement, President Donald Trump reportedly pledged to restore Biden-era subsidies for developing solar farms in Nevada, though as of February 2026, the Nevada Current reported that Lombardo had remained silent on the specifics of the arrangement and its implementation.

State Government Operations

In his administrative role, Lombardo has managed the day-to-day operations of Nevada's state government. In February 2026, he ordered early closure and delayed openings for state government offices in northwestern Nevada due to adverse winter weather, urging Nevadans to exercise caution while driving.

Controversies During Governorship

Lombardo's governorship has drawn criticism on several fronts. In February 2026, members of the Nevada Legislature expressed frustration with what they described as shifting plans from the governor's office regarding the displacement of residential beds for troubled youth, with lawmakers stating they felt "gaslit" by the administration's evolving proposals.

Lombardo also faced criticism for his initial silence regarding the shooting of two Minnesota residents by federal law enforcement officers in Minneapolis. In late January 2026, he broke his silence on the matter after facing public pressure to address the incident.

Additionally, U.S. Representative Dina Titus sent a demand letter to Lombardo in November 2025, asking him to explain why his administration agreed to drop a fine against the Boring Company, the tunnel construction company founded by Elon Musk.

Personal Life

Lombardo was born in Sapporo, Japan, and moved to Las Vegas in 1976. He has one child. Outside of his professional career, Lombardo has participated in off-road racing events; records from SCORE International list a racer by his name in the 51st SCORE Baja 1000, an off-road motorsport race held annually in Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.

Lombardo has appeared on C-SPAN in connection with his roles as both sheriff and governor.