Jason Bean/The Reno Gazette-Journal via AP
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo takes his oath of office during his inauguration ceremony in the Carson City Community Center in Carson City, Nev., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
Published Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 | 1:27 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 | 4:22 p.m.
CARSON CITY — Kicking off his first full day in office, Gov. Joe Lombardo on Tuesday called for Nevadans to put aside partisan differences while promising to lead using core conservative tenets.
Lombardo, a Republican, took a ceremonial oath of office in front of roughly 700 supporters at the Carson City Community Center to mark the official start to the Republican’s first term.
Lombardo said he intended to deliver on campaign promises such as no new taxes, boosting school choice and tackling “soft-on-crime” legislation, while also adhering to the conservative principles of “person responsibility, fiscal discipline and limited government interference.”
“As we greet the promise of a new day, I want you to know that I am fully committed to putting the future back in the hands of the people,” Lombardo said. “That is the Nevada way … It is in our blood and in our bones.”
The remarks came a day after Lombardo was officially sworn in during a small ceremony at the state Capitol, becoming Nevada’s 31st governor and replacing Democratic Steve Sisolak, who was defeated in his reelection bid in November. The Nevada Constitution mandates the governor assume office the first Monday of the new year after a general election, though state offices were closed that day this year in observance of New Year’s Day.
In a symbolic nod to Lombardo’s school choice promise, students from the Doral Academy charter school in Reno performed music for the event, including a rendition of the state song, “Home Means Nevada.”
For Linda Brokaski of Reno, whose daughter was playing in the ceremony, it meant Lombardo was already putting words into action.
“Looking at it from the kids’ perspective it’s super exciting,” Brokaski said. “For them to get an opportunity, up close, to view the importance of governance, it’s great.”
By having the ceremony in Northern Nevada, attendees said they were rooting for the governor right out of the gate.
“Having it at the community center I think shows he’s willing to be governor of the whole state and not just the mayor of Las Vegas,” Connor Budge, 17, a junior at Reno High School, said alongside classmate Alex Stroupe. The two self-proclaimed history buffs said they wanted to see the next chapter of the state’s history unfold in real time.
Added Stroupe: “We’re witnessing history, and it’s amazing to see that.”
Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony, Attorney General Aaron Ford, Treasurer Zach Conine, Controller Andy Matthews and Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar also took ceremonial oaths, though they, too, were officially sworn in Monday.
New Nevada Supreme Court Justice Patricia Lee assumed her post as well. And Sisolak, along with former first lady Kathy Sisolak and ex-Govs. Brian Sandoval, Jim Gibbons, Bob Miller and Richard Bryan, were there as well, with Lombardo paying homage to each throughout his address.
“I can say without reservation the best of our country lies before us,” Lombardo said. “History teaches us to persevere while others settle for less.”
Lombardo, serving for the first time as a state government policymaker, rose through the ranks of Metro Police before being elected Clark County Sheriff in 2014. He began his career there in 1988.
As sheriff, he led the police response after the Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting on Oct. 1, 2017, which resulted in 60 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The massacre was the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.
“He has a proven record as a leader, with everything he did in Clark County,” said Sam Brown, of Reno. “I believe he’s going to bring new ideas and fresh energy during a time in which we need it.”
Enacting his agenda, however, may be easier said than done. Lombardo will need to navigate Democratic majorities in both legislative chambers to enact his priorities. Though Lombardo defeated Sisolak by more than 15,000 votes, or about 1.5%, Democrats retained majorities in both the assembly and senate.
Whether lawmakers from both parties and the new governor will be able to work together has yet to be seen. But, at least for now, constituents like Jessica Peralta, of Las Vegas, are taking a wait-and see-approach.
Peralta, who voted for Sisolak in November, said she was at Lombardo’s inauguration because she was supportive of the new administration.
“I may be a registered Democrat, but I’m just open and willing always to hear both sides of the aisle,” she said. “For me, as a mother, knowing the future of Nevada is growing, that’s the most important thing.”
On Jan. 23, Lombardo will deliver his first State of the State speech in which he is expected to announce his priorities for the upcoming legislative session, which begins Feb. 6.
