"I'm going to put every cabinet position in my administration to the task of finding ways to put money back in people's pockets," Ford said in an exclusive one-on-one interview Thursday. "And that's going to be the task. That's going to be the chore immediately."

The Democratic governor-elect, who defeated his Republican opponent in Tuesday's election, described the two-year campaign as a listening tour across the state. "It's been a two-year journey talking to Nevadans all across the state, hearing what their issues are, what their concerns were, discussing with them what they want the solutions to look like, developing these solutions," he said. "And to think that that part of the work has come to an end and it's time to get to work was exhilarating."

Ford outlined a legislative agenda aimed squarely at the rising costs of housing, health care and food. He said he will sign bills limiting how many homes corporations can buy up in Nevada, arguing that investors are pricing families out of neighborhoods. "People live in homes, not corporations, and they should be able to compete fairly," he said.

He also plans to cap prescription drug costs at Medicare-negotiated prices and to provide meals for students in school — policies he said a governor can advance through legislation despite limited direct control over prices.

On data centers, a divisive issue in Nevada and nationwide, Ford doubled down on his campaign criticism of unchecked proliferation. Any new data center will have to pay for its own power, use clean energy and build out infrastructure to accommodate its needs, he said. "No red cent — we don't make pennies anymore, so no nickel increase can be seen or realized for any consumer in our state under my plan," Ford said. He added that he will appoint "consumer-oriented" members to the state's Public Utilities Commission, the body that regulates utilities and approves rates.

Ford also addressed his relationship with President Donald Trump, whom he sued repeatedly as Nevada attorney general. He said his history of legal battles will not prevent him from cooperating with the White House. "I've always been willing to work with the president, and I continue my willingness to work with the president," he said. "In fact, I've said time and again that I will work with anyone, Democrat, Republican, or independent, who is serious about improving the lives of Nevadans."

Ford's victory came amid a blue wave that swept statewide races in Nevada, giving Democrats unified control of the governor's office and other constitutional offices. He will succeed Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, who was elected in 2022.

The governor-elect's proposals face a Legislature that will convene in February 2027, where Democrats will hold majorities but will need to navigate complex tradeoffs on housing, energy and health care. His day-one emergency declaration on affordability would be largely symbolic but could unlock executive flexibility and set the tone for his administration.

For Nevada families grappling with some of the nation's highest rent increases and grocery bills, Ford's promise of immediate action offers a sharp contrast with the outgoing administration. Whether he can deliver on corporate homebuying limits and utility protections will depend on how aggressively he wields the governor's office — and how much resistance he encounters from industry groups and lawmakers wary of government intervention in markets.

Ford is expected to announce key cabinet appointments and details of his affordability emergency in the coming weeks, ahead of his inauguration in January.