After a miserable primary for Lombardo, his party is making the general even more brutal
Joe Lombardo has pushed the Big Lie for the last year and now, it’s backfiring, dragging his campaign down in his first full week of the general election. As Joey Gilbert doubles down on his refusal to concede, his supporters are standing firmly behind him, fighting against certifying the election results in Clark and Washoe Counties last week. Read more:
Reno Gazette-Journal: Against a backdrop of hostility, Clark County commissioners certify primary election results
Many of those who approached the podium Friday to speak included supporters and campaign staffers of Republican gubernatorial hopeful Joey Gilbert, who has said he will not concede to Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo, as well as unsuccessful candidates for Secretary of State, the Nevada Assembly and Congress.
They called the election “fraudulent,” “illegal” and “a crime.”
The Nevada Independent: Joey Gilbert vows to contest election, alleges deficiencies after losing GOP governor primary
In a follow-up email, campaign spokesman Paul White said that Gilbert “100% believes he received the most votes” and is working through all possible legal channels with the goal of overturning the results.
But it gets worse for Lombardo…Just two days before Gilbert supporters slammed the primary results as illegitimate, Lombardo’s “longtime friend” Michael McDonald had his phone seized by the FBI for his involvement in a fake electors scheme while trying to overturn the 2020 election.
Based on his weak showing in the primary, Lombardo has already struggled to unify the Republican party. He entered the general election bruised and broke–now, the Big Lie is now costing him his base, too.
“As Joey Gilbert cries voter fraud, refuses to concede, and rallies his supporters behind him, Joe Lombardo is now living the consequences of boosting the Big Lie for the past year,” said Nevada Democratic Victory spokesperson Mallory Payne. “Unable to unify the Republican base, Lombardo’s campaign sinks deeper the closer we get to November.”
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