Nevada’s gubernatorial race is seeing heightened attention as incumbent Governor Joe Lombardo competes against state Attorney General Aaron Ford. On ‘Saturday in America,’ Lombardo expressed criticism of Ford’s support for clemency in a convicted killer’s case, highlighting the central issues in the contest.
Aaron Ford recently drew backlash after endorsing clemency for several convicted murderers. These cases include the execution-style killing of a teenager, the murder of a Pizza Hut employee for thrills, and the brutal beating death of a victim with a cinder block. Ford’s clemency efforts have met renewed scrutiny as one of those considered for leniency had killed a pregnant woman while out on bail for armed robbery.
“Mr. Judge, I would like to tell you these people, I don’t want them to be free,” the mother of a murder victim pleaded.
Ford has been Nevada’s Attorney General for nearly eight years and is challenging Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo for his position. This race is marked as one of the most contested in this election cycle.
Unlike many states, Nevada’s governor cannot unilaterally grant pardons or commute sentences. These powers are vested in the state’s Board of Pardons Commissioners, which includes the governor, attorney general, and Nevada Supreme Court justices.
Ford, serving as Attorney General, has supported pardons or reduced sentences for 30 individuals convicted of murder. Despite Ford and Lombardo agreeing on some pardon votes, Ford has backed clemency for particularly violent offenders where Lombardo disagreed.
A poignant case involved Michael Cu, who killed a teenager execution-style to steal car rims. Though Lombardo disagreed, Ford supported Cu’s eligibility for parole in 2035. Ford has used his law enforcement experience prominently in his campaign, highlighting his work against corporate landlords raising rents illegally, tackling drug companies, and battling against fentanyl trafficking.
Republicans argue Ford’s past pardon votes could challenge his public safety image. In various pardon hearings, Ford has shown moments of both firm stance and mercy. In June 2022, he voted for parole eligibility for Shaquille Hazelwood, convicted of murder in a robbery. Another case involved Ford calling parole eligibility for Bobby Thomas, who killed a teenager over a basketball dispute, a ‘no-brainer.’
More controversial was Ford’s support for Anthony Amati, convicted for a ‘thrill killing.’ Ford’s stance allowed Amati to become eligible for parole, though release is not assured.
While Ford’s clemency votes have stirred debate, he and Lombardo have found mutual agreement in cases such as granting leniency to a man initially found guilty of orchestrating a contract killing, later exonerated by DNA evidence.
Leave a Reply