Youngkin, who was once known as the “education governor,” told the gathering that the title now belonged to Lombardo. The appearance came two days after U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon met with Lombardo and put school policy at the center of the governor’s campaign message.

Lombardo highlighted more than $2 billion in additional school funding, expanded open enrollment, transportation support and increased access to Opportunity Scholarships. He said Nevada’s childhood literacy rates have risen 5% since 2022, chronic absenteeism has declined and some schools previously rated one star have improved their ratings.

The event also focused on Lombardo’s decision to join the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program, established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. It allows taxpayers to direct up to $1,700 of federal income taxes — or $3,400 for couples filing jointly — to certified scholarship organizations that help pay for private-school tuition and other K-12 costs.

Youngkin said Nevada was among the first states to participate and predicted the program would bring millions of dollars to the state. Democrats, however, have argued that the federal plan could divert support from public education to private schools. In an October letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Democrats criticized the program on those grounds.

The federal option gives Lombardo another route to expand private-school scholarships after Democrats who control the Nevada Legislature rejected his proposals to increase the state’s Opportunity Scholarship program. Established in 2015, that public-private program offers scholarships of up to $10,094 to eligible students from households earning no more than 300% of the federal poverty level. Business donations fund the awards in exchange for dollar-for-dollar credits against the state’s Modified Business Tax, with annual credits capped at about $6.7 million.

Lombardo proposed raising the program’s funding to $50 million and eventually $500 million in 2023. Democrats removed the proposal from his education bill, saying the state should prioritize public schools.

Daniel Reyes, a former student at Founders Classical Academy, said an Opportunity Scholarship made private education possible for his family. “That opportunity right there changed my life,” he said.

Ford, a former public-school math teacher, has challenged Lombardo’s claims of progress. He cites Nevada’s 46th-place ranking in education outcomes in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2025 Kids Count report and low elementary reading and math proficiency. Ford has also criticized Lombardo for supporting President Donald Trump’s effort to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education.

Ford’s education plan calls for reading specialists in every elementary school, smaller classes, expanded early-childhood education, higher pay for school support staff and free breakfast and lunch for all students. Lombardo vetoed a 2023 bill to continue universal school meals with state funding, citing food waste and other programs addressing food insecurity.

Nevada schools continue to contend with teacher shortages, layoffs and infrastructure needs, while state spending per student remains thousands of dollars below the national average. Lombardo says that, if reelected, he would increase per-pupil funding to support school buildings, teacher pay, transportation and additional education options.

“I’m very proud of our record,” Lombardo said, while acknowledging that progress is not guaranteed. He said he would continue seeking more options for parents in a second term.