Cathleen Allison / AP
Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno, works at a budget subcommittee hearing on Friday, May 3, 2013, at the Legislative Building in Carson City.
Monday, Nov. 28, 2022 | 11:40 a.m.
Nevada Governor-elect Joe Lombardo speaks with supporters at Rancho High School Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. Lombardo beat incumbent Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak.
Nevada Gov.-elect Joe Lombardo today announced former state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer as his chief of staff, marking the first appointment for the Republican as he gets ready to assume office in January.
Kieckhefer served three straight terms in the Nevada Senate, representing District 16, and first took office in 2011.
Kieckhefer served as assistant minority floor leader from 2013-14 and again from 2017-18. He was also the assistant majority floor leader from 2015-16.
“I’m delighted to announce Ben Kieckhefer as my incoming chief of staff today,” Lombardo said in a statement.
“Ben has dedicated his life and career to the service of Nevadans, and there is no one more qualified or better prepared for this role,” Lombardo said. “I know that Ben’s exceptional leadership, unmatched integrity and extensive legislative experience will be an important part of our success in Carson City.”
As a state senator, Kieckhefer advocated for school-choice legislation — a likely cornerstone of Lombardo’s legislative agenda.
Lombardo promised throughout his campaign to help use taxpayer money for vouchers that can be used for private education, though opponents warn it may come at the cost of diverting funds from Nevada’s public school system.
Most recently, Kieckhefer was appointed by Gov. Steve Sisolak, whom Lombardo defeated in the Nov. 8 midterm election, to the Nevada Gaming Commission. He’s been at that post since October 2021.
Kieckhefer also serves as director of client relations for the Nevada-based law firm McDonald Carano.
Kieckhefer will resign from the Gaming Commission after Lombardo is sworn into office in January, according to a news release.
“I’m honored to join Gov.-elect Lombardo’s administration,” Kieckhefer said in a statement. “I’m humbled by Gov.-elect Lombardo’s trust in me, and I’m excited to have another opportunity to serve Nevada, a state I love so deeply. Under Gov.-elect Lombardo, I’m confident that this administration will deliver innovative solutions and historic victories for our great state.”
Lombardo, the Clark County sheriff, defeated Sisolak by 15,386 votes, or 1.51%, according to the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office.
Kevin McMahill is replacing Lombardo as sheriff.
