Gov. Joe Lombardo publicly thanked and praised Wayne Allyn Root at a Republican Lincoln Day dinner in Las Vegas, calling Root “an awesome spokesman” for the GOP in remarks caught on an audio recording. The shout‑out came at a high‑profile party event and quickly drew attention because Root is a controversial conservative commentator known for promoting conspiracy claims and provocative rhetoric.
Audio Captures the Exchange at Lincoln Day Dinner
An audio recording of Lombardo’s remarks was detailed by the Nevada Current, which published lines of the governor thanking Root and calling him “an awesome spokesman” for the Republican Party. Root had been listed as emcee for the Clark County Lincoln Day dinner at Treasure Island on Feb. 27, according to listings tied to his show, and he also headlined a separate Nye County Lincoln Day event in Pahrump the following day, as covered by the Pahrump Valley Times.
Who Is Wayne Allyn Root?
Wayne Allyn Root is a conservative radio and TV host, author and former Libertarian vice‑presidential nominee. His Wikipedia entry describes a history of promoting conspiracy theories and incendiary commentary. The Nevada Current report on the audio also quotes Root telling the crowd that President Donald Trump’s State of the Union was “God inspired” and calling Trump “God’s representative.”
Political Stakes for Lombardo
Gov. Lombardo is running for re‑election in 2026, a bid first reported by The Nevada Independent, and his public praise for a polarizing figure is likely to be watched closely by voters and party insiders. Observers note that open alignment with controversial commentators can energize a party’s base while creating headaches in a purple state like Nevada.
The audio clip now sits as another data point in the ongoing debate over where state Republican leaders are positioning themselves heading into a hotly contested election year. Whether this banquet‑hall moment turns into a sustained campaign issue will depend on how Lombardo, his allies and his opponents choose to use the recording in the weeks ahead.
