Rising Gas Prices in Nevada Shape Dynamics of Governor's Race

By Erin Cox

*Washington Post*

LAS VEGAS — Carlos Galiote plugged his electric Ford Mustang into a rapid charger behind a luxury mall on the Vegas Strip and described the impact of current gas prices.

He has not used the family's gas-powered Volkswagen in about a month. Galiote, 39, works two jobs—driving for Uber during the day and waiting tables at night—to support five children. He anticipates Nevada gas prices, which have reached $5 per gallon in some areas, will rise further amid broader inflation.

Democrats are targeting swing voters like Galiote in Nevada's governor's race, citing economic conditions during President Donald Trump's administration as a factor. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, the leading Democratic candidate, has campaigned on promises to address affordability issues. However, Galiote expressed skepticism toward politicians in general.

"Anyone can perform a beautiful speech nowadays. All you need is ChatGPT," he said. "How can you trust someone when each time, most people, they fail?"


Nevada has a high concentration of diverse working-class voters and has shifted politically during periods of economic uncertainty. In 2022, voters ousted Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak, the only incumbent Democratic governor to lose reelection that year. In the 2024 presidential election, the state supported Trump after backing Joe Biden in 2020.

Gas prices in Nevada have risen sharply in 2026, reaching $5.19 per gallon for regular unleaded at some Las Vegas stations. The state's tourism-dependent economy makes it sensitive to fuel costs. Approximately 90% of Southern Nevada's fuel supply comes from California refineries, according to state energy data, a point emphasized by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. Additionally, global oil supply disruptions contributed to the surge, including tensions in the Strait of Hormuz involving Iran, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes.

Interviews with more than a dozen voters in the Las Vegas area revealed widespread disillusionment with politicians from both parties. Many expressed doubt that any candidate could effectively address economic pressures. This sentiment could affect turnout among Republican supporters or limit Democratic gains among frustrated independents.

Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson, who has worked on past Democratic campaigns including those of Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, said: "Could we win … seats on simply throw-the-bums-out? Maybe. But it has to be more than that. We need to show the receipts of what [Trump’s] done to the cost of living and offer a plan to reverse it."


Ford has centered his campaign on economic affordability, using ads that reference high gas prices. In a recent Instagram reel, he drove to a Las Vegas station showing $5.19 per gallon and stated: "The failing Lombardo-Trump economy just isn’t cutting it." He added: "Nevada needs [a] governor who knows what it’s like to feel your heart sink as a number on the meter soars. I remember that feeling all too well, and I’m running for governor to lead our state out of this mess."

When shown the video, Galiote said he was unsure if Ford could effect change. "He could just be taking advantage of the situation, because he’s talking to people that are probably hurting right now. And yeah, why wouldn’t you listen to someone that is talking your language right now?" Galiote said. "Maybe this guy is right. But perhaps he’s just another person that wants to reach power."

Lombardo, who declined an interview request, has attributed high gas prices to California's energy policies. California supplies most of Nevada's fuel, with its refineries providing about 90% of Southern Nevada's needs. Ford, in an interview, acknowledged voter disillusionment but highlighted his background, including growing up poor and relying on social safety programs as a single father.

"My earliest memories as a child are eating stale candy bars for dinner that my father found next to the dumpster behind the grocery store he worked at," Ford said. "I didn’t know what the word affordability meant back then, but I knew my parents couldn’t afford food."

Voter Trust at Historic Lows

Voter disaffection has reached near-record levels. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that only 17% of Americans trust the federal government to do the right thing almost always or most of the time—a question the center has asked since 1958.

Scott Warren, a fellow at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University who studies trust in democracy, said gas prices reflect broader distrust of political parties. "When you think about something like gas prices, you are seeing greater distrust of political parties, full stop," Warren said. "This goes to a sense of ‘we fundamentally feel that politicians aren’t looking out for us.’”

At a gas station near the Strip, Isaiah Hull, 34, an independent swing voter who drives a taxi, added $80 worth of fuel. He said politicians could influence prices if prioritized but often appear incompetent. "Just like how it jumped overnight, it can go back down overnight," Hull said. "That’s their main job: the government is to take care of the people, and they don’t do that."

A few blocks away on Paradise Road, Judith Haselton, who runs an online secondhand shop, saw $4.91 per gallon and chose not to fill up. She has reduced driving by being more selective with inventory pickups. Haselton said she does not closely follow politics but typically votes Democratic as the lesser of two evils. "I don’t follow politics too much," she said. "I should, I know I should."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) claimed Democrats have won every competitive election nationwide for the last 15 months, dating to the start of Trump's presidency. "These are facts," Jeffries said. He described the party's message as: "Life has not gotten better for everyday Americans."

Heather Dunn, a pet sitter, reacted to $5.19 per gallon at a Terrible’s convenience store in suburban Las Vegas. She limits driving to a 10-mile radius, refills at half a tank due to price fears, and has cut back on movies and dining out. Dunn, who voted for Trump in 2024 over concerns about Kamala Harris's competence and Biden's cognitive fitness, said she now leans toward Democrats on economic issues. "Because we’ve seen things skyrocket this last administration, I’m inclined to believe them, even though I wasn’t happy with Biden last time," she said. "I don’t feel like that now. I’m not happy with how he’s doing."

Carolyn Check, 76, a retired telephone technician and self-described swing voter who supported Trump, opted not to buy gas at the same Terrible’s, purchasing sparkling water instead. She attributed price increases to California's tax and environmental policies—echoing Lombardo's statements—as well as strikes involving Iran. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, linked to Iran-related conflict, have affected global oil flows, which account for about 20% of world supply. Check dismissed Democratic arguments blaming Republicans.

"They’ve got the movie stars who can afford this, and actors who can afford that, and I don’t care about that," Check said. "I don’t care what they can afford. That’s not what I can afford."

She criticized politicians from both parties for prioritizing partisan fights over constituents. "It used to be ‘the people’ were important. Now ‘the people’ is a second thought," Check said.

*(Word count: 1,392)*