Memo: The Case Against Nevada Republicans: Why This Election is a Referendum on Trump’s Cost-Raising Agenda

To: Interested Parties

From: Sabrina Maki, Nevada State Democratic Party Executive Director

Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2026

Re: The Case Against Nevada Republicans: Why This Election is a Referendum on Trump’s Cost-Raising Agenda

From fawning over Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” to embracing his cost-raising tariffs and trade war to cheerleading his reckless Iran War driving prices up even further, Nevada Republicans are tripping over themselves to embrace Trump’s billionaires-first agenda while Nevada families pay the price. 

The Lombardo-Trump economy is forcing Nevada families to make impossible choices between putting food on the table, filling their prescriptions, paying their bills, and keeping a roof over their heads. With Trump’s approval rating in Nevada at record lows, voters are ready to hold Trump, Joe Lombardo and their MAGA minions accountable for the pain they are feeling at the pump, in the grocery store, at the pharmacy, and at the hospital.

Trump’s endless Iran War is driving up gas prices to all-time highs and making goods more expensive—on top of an already unaffordable economy.

• Nevadans are now paying over $5 a gallon for gas because of Trump’s war with Iran
• Nevada diesel prices have also reached record highs at nearly $7 a gallon, jacking up transport costs that impact nearly everything, including grocery costs. 
• With fuel prices making flights more expensive, August became the 19th straight month of declining visitors at Harry Reid airport.
• All of this on top of the utility rate hikes driven by Trump and DOGE cuts that mean Nevada households will pay an additional $11 billion for energy – an average of $720 per household in 2035 and $940 in 2040.

Trump’s illegal tariffs and erratic trade war are raising costs for working families and devastating our tourism economy.

• Because of Trump’s tariffs, Nevada families have paid on average $2000 more for groceries, gas, and everyday essentials since they were enacted
• There are nearly 50,000 jobs in Nevada that are trade dependent that have been put in jeopardy by Trump’s tariffs, including nearly 10,000 jobs in Washoe County. In Storey County, a whopping 66% of all jobs in the county are in industries targeted by tariffs. 
• Las Vegas had 7.5% fewer visitors in 2025 with 3.2 million fewer visitors than 2024 
• As foreign visitors plummeted because of Trump’s tariffs and foreign policy, Las Vegas Strip casinos reported an 81% decline in 2025 net income vs. 2024.

Nevada families have stood to lose the most from Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” that Nevada Republicans wholeheartedly support.

• Health insurance premiums for Nevada families rising to an average of $800 per month — a 34% increase in 2026, with further double-digit increases expected in 2027.
• 8,000 fewer Nevadans now have health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act and 45,000 fewer are covered by Medicaid. Tens of thousands more Nevadans are expected to lose insurance.
• Over 70,000 Nevadans have already lost SNAP benefits as grocery costs continue to rise. 
• Four hospitals in Nevada are at risk of closing as Boulder City Hospital and Henderson Hospital have already cut services and staff because of Medicaid cuts.
• A new gambling tax that will devastate Nevada gaming by forcing bettors to pay taxes on their wins and losses. 

Bottom Line:

Nevada Republicans tied themselves to Trump’s cost-raising agenda that voters can see and feel through higher costs, rising health care expenses, cuts to essential programs, and economic uncertainty. And with nominees who are woefully unqualified — including election deniers and fraudsters who lie about their donors and military record — they don’t stand a chance against Democrats up and down the ballot who are bringing our message of affordability directly to voters. 

NV Dems has the ground game to capitalize on the message and environment and strong candidates who can deliver victories on November 3rd. 

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