Nevada Governor Race Heats Up as Election Day Approaches

The race for Nevada governor has intensified with incumbent Gov. Joe Lombardo and challenger Aaron Ford, the state Attorney General, drawing significant attention. Lombardo recently appeared on ‘Saturday in America’ to discuss the contest against Ford and critique Ford’s support for clemency in a case involving a convicted killer.

Attorney General Aaron Ford has faced criticism for his vote supporting clemency for several convicted murderers. This includes individuals involved in heinous crimes like the execution-style killing of a teenager and the brutal murder of a Pizza Hut employee. Among these is the controversial case where Ford backed clemency for a convicted individual responsible for the death of a pregnant woman while out on bail for armed robbery incidents targeting Vegas tourists.

During Ford’s tenure as Attorney General, he supported clemency for numerous violent offenders, with many receiving reduced sentences, pardons, or early parole eligibility. However, some clemency requests were denied. Ford is now campaigning to unseat Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo in a highly competitive gubernatorial race.

Understanding Nevada’s Clemency Decisions

In Nevada, unlike most states, the governor does not have sole authority to grant pardons or commute sentences. Instead, these decisions are made by the state’s Board of Pardons Commissioners, which includes the governor, attorney general, and Nevada Supreme Court justices.

Since serving as attorney general, Ford has voted for pardon or sentence reduction for 30 people convicted of murder. Notably, he and Lombardo sometimes voted together, but Ford differed by supporting mercy for particularly brutal criminals.

One such case involved Michael Cu, a convict who kidnapped and murdered a 16-year-old in 1996. Despite opposition from the victim’s family, Ford voted to allow Cu’s eligibility for parole by 2035. This contrasts with Lombardo’s vote against parole for Cu.

Ford’s Campaign Focus

Ford emphasizes his law enforcement experience in his campaign. His website highlights his cooperation with federal and local agencies to prosecute criminals, protect communities, target corporate landlords for illegal activities, and combat drug trafficking. It also mentions his efforts to address rape kit backlogs and prosecute human traffickers.

Republicans may leverage Ford’s clemency votes to question his public safety record, despite his efforts to project a tough-on-crime image. Ford occasionally expressed affirmative support for parole eligibility, like the case of Shaquille Hazelwood, involved in a fatal robbery at 15 years old.

Controversial Clemency Cases

Ford backed clemency for convicted murderer Anthony Amati, involved in the ‘thrill killing’ of a Pizza Hut employee. This decision granted Amati immediate parole eligibility, although his release is subject to approval.

Another controversial support was for Arlander Givens, convicted of murder with a cinder block. While Ford favored leniency, the board ultimately denied Givens’ application.

The collaborative votes of Ford and Lombardo include supporting leniency for a man exonerated by DNA evidence, underscoring the complexity of clemency decisions and the nuances of their partnership.