ICYMI: Ford Talks Cutting Costs and Creating Jobs On Small Business Tour
Yesterday, Attorney General Ford was joined by Maryland Governor Wes Moore for the second stop on his small business tour: Gritz Cafe in Las Vegas. General Ford and Gov. Moore spoke with business owner Trina Jiles about how she started her business, what it means to her to have served the historic West Side community of Las Vegas for 20 years, and how Ford’s running to cut costs for small businesses and help them succeed. They toured the Gritz Cafe kitchen, shook hands with patrons, and discussed how rising costs are hurting business.
Ford kicked off his small business tour last week at local business Slanging Tacos, where he talked with owners Neri and Reina Haro about the challenges they’ve experienced in getting their business off the ground in the Lombardo-Trump economy and how important it is to them to serve authentic, gourmet Mexican food. Ford put on an apron and helped whip up a batch of tacos as he and Neri talked about his plan to expand loans for small businesses.
Ford recently rolled out his agenda to support small businesses, outlining how as Governor he’ll build on his work in the State Senate to create a loan program for small and minority owned businesses. Ford is also looking out for small businesses by fighting to block Trump’s latest tariffs after successfully blocking the first round of tariffs in court. Meanwhile, Joe Lombardo has said working families should “feel a little pain” over Trump’s tariffs, shouldn’t get refunds for the $1,700 stolen from them in 2025 alone, and admitted he’s too chicken to tell Trump to end the tariff devastation they’ve both inflicted on Nevada workers and businesses.
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Las Vegas Sun: Aaron Ford campaigns with Maryland governor focusing on small businesses, affordability
Ford, the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Nevada, was joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday at Gritz Cafe in the Historic Westside as part of Ford’s small-business tour.
Ford praised owner Trina Jiles for the cafe’s longevity, calling her "a small-business owner who ... has been through the pandemic, has been through the Great Recession, and has survived and continues to survive because she has a focus on the people.”
Ford’s race against Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo is one where Democrats see an opportunity to flip. The Cook Political Report rates Lombardo as the most vulnerable Republican gubernatorial incumbent in the current election cycle, the only GOP governor running for reelection in a race considered a toss-up.
“Ford has an agenda that makes sure we’re focusing on lowering costs for the people of our state,” Moore said, “an agenda saying we’re going to support our small businesses and making sure that our small businesses have a chance to thrive.”
“Trina has been a staple of our community,” Ford said. “When I heard Wes was coming (to Las Vegas), I said, ‘Well, you've got to come to the community’s cafe.’ ”
KTVN: Ford campaigns, makes tacos in Las Vegas
Ford donned an apron and spoke at Slanging Tacos near the Las Vegas Strip, a mom-and-pop business that began in a garage, grew into a food truck and ended up in a bar not far from the Las Vegas Strip.
"The economy is absolutely the No. 1 issue in this race," Ford said. "Under the Trump-Lombardo economy, where the unemployment rate has been the highest, if not certainly one of the highest, in the nation for the entire tenure of Joe Lombardo. Unemployment is higher now than it was when Joe Lombardo took office."
"I've spoken to people all across the state, who are saying they are going to every job site they can find. One individual said they had sent out 300 resumes and got five hits. This economy is not built for them," Ford said. "What people are experiencing on the ground is a different story."
Ford said he'll keep pushing the affordability issue in future visits to small businesses, saying the race is close because of concerns about costs.
"We are in a tie ball game right now because people understand that they are in dire circumstances and they want a leader who is going to actually focus on their concerns, and that message is resonating," he said.
Desde Nevada: Aaron Ford, candidate for Governor, traded his legal brief for an apron at Slanging Tacos
AG Ford: “Yo voy a ser un gubernador que esta tratando a bajar los precios. Yo tengo que entender lo que necesitan las personas, entonces las conversaciones estan muy importantes.
PHOTOS:
Stop 1 at Slanging Tacos:
Stop 2 at Gritz Cafe:
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