Nevada Democratic governor candidate calls for halt to data-center tax incentives

Attorney General Aaron Ford, the Democratic contender for Nevada governor, has made data-center tax incentives a centerpiece of his campaign, promising to freeze new abatements and audit existing ones. He called for a systematic review of the program’s economic outcomes, a policy he originally backed while serving in the state senate in 2015. Ford’s proposal mirrors moves by governors in Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Nebraska, New Jersey and Arizona, who have either suspended or questioned similar incentives.

Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, the incumbent, continues to support data-center projects, citing job creation and responsible water and energy plans, and has accused opponents of spreading misinformation. The debate intensified after Lombardo broke ground on a Storey County data center in May, emphasizing its non-residential location. As Nevada’s swing-state status makes the race nationally significant, the data-center tax break issue highlights broader tensions over technology-driven economic development.