The Stakes
Nevada voters face persistent cost-of-living pressures across utilities, childcare, and wages. This research reveals stark contrasts among the five declared candidates—with the two major-party frontrunners offering detailed but divergent records while the three challengers have articulated few specific positions on these kitchen-table issues.
Utility Crisis
NV Energy customers saw "the highest bills in the last decade" in 2023. Nearly 32,000 Nevadans had power disconnected for nonpayment in 2024.[COL1]NV Energy rate analysis, 2023-2024
Childcare Desert
Nevada ranks 4th least affordable for childcare nationally. Single mothers in Clark County spend an average of 42% of income on care.[COL2]WalletHub childcare affordability analysis
Wage Gap
Nevada's minimum wage is $12/hour. MIT estimates $24.10/hour is needed for a single adult in Las Vegas to remain above poverty.[COL3]MIT Living Wage Calculator, 2024
Nevada's Affordability Landscape
Utility Costs
- • Southern Nevada bills projected down 19% from late 2023 to late 2024 as natural gas prices fell 36%
- • NV Energy's proposed tripling of Northern Nevada's basic service charge from $16.50 to $45.30 monthly remains under regulatory review—would be highest among investor-owned utilities nationally
- • Nearly 32,000 Nevadans had power disconnected for nonpayment in 2024
Childcare Burden
- • Every Nevada county qualifies as a childcare desert due to insufficient licensed capacity
- • Median married couples with children spend 11% of income on care—above the 7% federal affordability threshold
- • State's Child Care Development Program began cutting approximately 5,500 children from subsidy rolls in early 2025 as federal COVID-era funding expired
Minimum Wage Structure
- • Nevada's minimum wage reached $12.00/hour on July 1, 2024 following the 2022 passage of Ballot Question 2
- • Nevada eliminated its tip credit—tipped employees receive the full minimum
- • Wage is not indexed to inflation—future increases require legislative action
Where They Stand
Aaron Ford
Democrat · Attorney General
Active AG Intervention on Utilities
- • Bureau of Consumer Protection called NV Energy's mandatory demand charge "unlawful"—filed petition to reverse PUCN decision[COL6]October 2025 AG filing
- • Demanded NV Energy "account for every cent it has overcharged ratepayers from 2001 to 2025" related to customer misclassification
- • Joined 22 other AGs suing EPA to recover $155.7 million in federal Solar For All grants
"I believe parents shouldn't have to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table."
Childcare
2017 legislative champion; limited current specifics.
- • As Senate Majority Leader (2017): Championed "Nevada Blueprint" with employer childcare tax credits[COL7]2017 Nevada Blueprint Democratic agenda
- • Framed childcare alongside "women's pay equality" and "affordable college" as economic priorities
- • 2026 campaign has not articulated detailed childcare policy platform
Minimum Wage
Clearest documented wage record among all candidates.
- • Lead sponsor of SB 106 (2017): Would have raised minimum to $12/hour incrementally[COL8]SB 106 legislative record
- • Pursued constitutional amendment approach (SJR 6) that led to current $12 rate
- • Has not explicitly addressed whether $12 is sufficient or supports further increases
Key Quote (2017): "Gradually increasing the minimum wage will put hundreds of millions into the pockets of Nevadans who then will spend money on basic necessities... If Nevada Republicans won't consider giving working families a raise, then Nevada voters will."
Alexis Hill
Democrat · Washoe County Commission Chair
Most Detailed Childcare Platform
- • Campaign states: "Nevada has the most expensive childcare in the nation. We need to streamline permitting processes and remove excessive red tape for childcare providers."[COL9]Hill campaign website
- • Explicit support for universal pre-K: "Studies show universal pre-kindergarten improves academic outcomes... We must ensure permanent funding of universal pre-K for all Nevada children."
- • KTNV interview: "We can invest in child care centers. That is the kind of investment I want to see in Nevada."
Utilities
Limited record despite sustainability focus.
- • Appointed to Truckee Meadows Water Authority board (January 2021)
- • "Passionate about conservation and fighting climate change on a local level"
- • No direct statements on NV Energy rates, fuel cost pass-throughs, or utility assistance programs
Minimum Wage
Pro-union stance without specific dollar amount.
- • Emphasizes "livable wages" language: "Support unions and livable wages and end freeloading off of workers"
- • Opposes Nevada's right-to-work law (calls it "Right to Freeload")[COL10]Hill campaign labor platform
- • No specific position on $12/hour minimum or further increases
Economic Philosophy: "No Subsidies for Billionaires"
Hill's signature proposal would eliminate corporate tax incentives: "Tax giveaways like what the State Legislature gave to Elon Musk to bring Tesla to Washoe County do not work." Supports $2.5 billion in additional annual education spending over 10 years and temporary rent caps.
Irina Hansen
Republican · Challenger
No Documented Cost-of-Living Positions
Despite extensive searches of campaign materials, news coverage, and social media, Hansen has no documented positions on utilities, childcare, or minimum wage.
Her general philosophy emphasizes anti-regulation themes: "The government of Nevada... came in and destroyed everything I built." During 2024 mayoral campaign: "The city lures big businesses with incentives, including tax breaks. We don't do that for small business owners."
Matthew Winterhawk
Republican · Challenger
Cost of Living Absent from Platform
Winterhawk's platform focuses on government efficiency ("state D.O.G.E.") and land sovereignty (NLSARA). Cost-of-living issues are completely absent despite his declared candidacy.
His general tax philosophy suggests shifting burden from "everyday Nevadans" to "high-profit industries" and tourism, but no specific wage or service cost policies have been articulated.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Issue | Lombardo | Ford | Hill | Hansen | Winterhawk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities | Signed refund bill; industry appointees | AG actions vs NV Energy | TMWA board; no NV Energy stance | No position | No position |
| Childcare | Proposed tax credits (failed); vetoed HOA bill | 2017 champion; limited 2026 specifics | Universal pre-K; permit streamlining | No position | No position |
| Minimum Wage | No statements; business-friendly | Led effort to $12; unclear on increases | "Livable wages"; no specific rate | No position | No position |
| Economic Frame | "Business-friendly environment" | Consumer protection | End corporate subsidies | Anti-regulation | Government efficiency |
| Evidence Level | Strong | Strong | Mixed | None | None |
Source: Cost of Living Policy Analysis
Significant Research Gaps
- • No candidate has explicitly stated whether Nevada's $12/hour minimum wage is sufficient or should be increased
- • Only Hill has articulated a specific position on universal pre-K
- • Neither Hansen nor Winterhawk has addressed any of the three core cost-of-living issues despite being declared candidates
- • Specific utility rate reform positions beyond general consumer protection are limited across all candidates
As campaigns develop through 2026, voters should seek candidate responses on: (1) whether $12/hour minimum wage is adequate; (2) specific positions on NV Energy rate structures and PUCN oversight; and (3) funding mechanisms for childcare expansion.