Dana White, Joe Lombardo Fight for Billionaires, Not Hardworking Nevadans

NEVADA - Today, Governor Lombardo proudly touted his friendship and endorsement from Dana White, despite the billionaire and UFC president repeatedly slapping his wife on camera in 2023.

Lombardo has made a habit of celebrating wealthy, powerful figures and, during an April 2026 visit from President Trump, said they must continue to “take care of” billionaires in exchange for supposed job creation. His latest public embrace of White raises serious questions about not only his allegiance to the billionaire class, but also his continued willingness to welcome the support of abusers.

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“As a former sheriff, Governor Lombardo has spent his political career touting his tough-on-crime record and claiming to hold domestic abusers accountable. Yet, now he’s proudly trotting out an endorsement from Dana White, who was caught on camera slapping his wife. The truth is this: Governor Lombardo is so unpopular and weak that he resorts to endorsements from wealthy, elite, domestic abusers to chase votes. There is nothing strong about a man who lays his hands on his partner, and no amount of wealth or political influence should excuse that.

Lombardo’s embrace of White is another example of his alignment with the MAGA billionaire class at a time when Nevada families don’t have paid family leave for new moms, free school lunch for all K-12 students, or lower housing prices. Nevadans deserve a governor who is more concerned with standing up for them than standing alongside Trump and his billionaire buddies.”

Imer Cespedes-Alvarado, Co-Chair of the Youth Voice of Nevada, issued the following statement:

 “Over a year after vetoing legislation that would have created an office dedicated to researching and mitigating gun violence, including in cases of domestic abuse, Governor Lombardo is once again showing us his true colors. Campaign websites and endorsements are easy when you’re ambivalent to the issues that affect your voters. Instead of protecting students, he’s championing a known domestic abuser, Dana White.

For the average victim of domestic abuse, the consequences reverberate for the rest of their lives. For billionaire abusers like White, life-long trauma is replaced with front row seats on the White House Lawn and red carpet rollouts to our Governor’s Mansion. Nevada’s students deserve leaders who are willing to set an example, no matter who’s willing to write a campaign check or film an endorsement. ”

Barbara Hartzell, Member of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe and Executive Director of Native Voters Alliance NV, issued the following statement:

“If this is the kind of man Joe Lombardo accepts endorsements from, then the Governor has some serious questions to answer. Dana White was caught on camera slapping his wife in 2023. Lombardo spent years as Clark County Sheriff, entrusted with enforcing laws intended to protect people from violence, including inside their own homes. Yet, he publicly welcomes White’s political support. That contrast deserves more than a campaign statement. It deserves an explanation. Does Lombardo believe the standards he ‘championed’ in law enforcement should apply equally to people with wealth, influence, and political connections? And what would he say to survivors of domestic violence who expect those standards to remain consistent, regardless of who is offering an endorsement? Public responsibility does not end when someone exchanges a sheriff’s badge for the Governor’s office.”

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About Battle Born Progress: Battle Born Progress, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. We support, engage, and mobilize the progressive community through bold leadership, strategic communications, accountability, and education. We are on the cutting edge of new media and are the go-to source for progressive issues and advocacy for traditional media.