Nevada treasurer announces attorney general bid

Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine campaigns during an early voting rally at Cheyenne High School in North Las Vegas Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. Photo by: Steve Marcus

Nevada Treasurer Zach Conine, a Democrat, is throwing his hat in the ring to be the state’s next attorney general.

He is seeking to replace fellow Democrat Aaron Ford, who is running for governor.

Conine, first elected treasurer in 2018, made the announcement for the 2026 midterms with a two-minute advertisement touting his work tackling the state’s ongoing housing crisis and the lack of doctors and nurses in rural Nevada.

“Donald Trump’s ongoing tariffs have put pressure on businesses, workers and families,” Conine said in the ad. “He’s attacking our constitutional rights. Now, I’m running for attorney general to stand up for Nevada families.”

“And if Trump or Elon (Musk) or anyone messes with Nevada, we’ll see them in court,” he added later.

Ford has struck a similar tone in joining dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration’s action.

U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, wrote in a statement that Conine would be an advocate for ensuring reproductive rights, worker protections and voting rights are respected.

“During the pandemic, he made sure Nevadans had access to federal funds helping them cope” and restored the state’s emergency fund, Titus said. “Conine would bring the same commitment and initiative to the Office of Attorney General, fighting for Nevadans against unjust and harmful policies of the Trump administration.

Conine, a licensed attorney, graduated from UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law in 2013.