Gov. Joe Lombardo (R-NV) reminded a traffic officer that he was speaking to the state‘s top elected official, according to recently released body-camera video of the May 15 interaction.
The footage shows a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sergeant pulling over Lombardo’s truck for an incomplete stop. The officer begins to introduce himself as Lombardo’s wife, Donna, looks on.
“I’m Joe Lombardo,” the Republican governor, who previously served as Clark County sheriff, interjects.
“I’m aware,” the officer responds before continuing to explain the traffic offense, prompting Lombardo to groan, “Come on, man.”
The officer then returns to his cruiser without issuing Lombardo a citation. Red light violations in Nevada typically carry a $305 fine, according to a local personal injury firm.
“Governor Lombardo spoke with the officer, fully complied with all instructions, and was promptly on his way,” Lombardo’s gubernatorial campaign said in a statement. “He remains grateful for the professionalism of the officer involved and for the service of law enforcement officers across Nevada.”
COULD THE NEVADA GOVERNOR’S RACE OUTCOME RUN THROUGH CANADA?
Lombardo is locked in a fierce competition with Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat, for the governor’s mansion. Democrats see Nevada, which has a Democratic legislature, as a possible gubernatorial flip in November. President Donald Trump, who endorsed Lombardo last year, edged out a victory in the state in 2024.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) was in the Silver State this week to stump for Ford. Newsom called Ford’s campaign “one of the key gubernatorial races” in the country.