ICYMI: Aaron Ford Refuses to Answer Why he Sponsored Commutation for Killer of Pregnant Woman and Her Unborn Child

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2026

"Aaron Ford was moving faster through that airport than the violent criminals he’s trying to put back on the street. If Nevada's top law enforcement officer can't even explain why he backed early release for a man who killed a pregnant woman while out on bail for a series of other violent crimes, he has no business asking voters to make him governor." - Republican political strategist Matt Gorman

ICYMI – Aaron Ford is refusing to explain why he personally sponsored a commutation for Norman Smith, who was convicted of shooting and killing a pregnant woman. Both the victim and her unborn child died in the attack. As a member of the Nevada Board of Pardons, Ford chose to go to bat for a convicted killer rather than stand with the family of the victim left behind. He went so far to sponsor his pardon, but didn't even show upto the quarterly board meeting to explain himself.

When confronted to justify the decision, Ford refused to answer and walked away, according to a new Fox News article:

Despite Ford's backing, the board ultimately denied the clemency bid, while Ford skipped the commutation hearing that was scheduled and later walked away from a questioner asking him to justify the decision to sponsor Smith's application at a Las Vegas airport.

Fox also noted:

By sponsoring Smith’s application, Ford elevated the case out of the administrative queue and onto the official state agenda for a full hearing and vote.

Based on a Fox News Digital review of official meeting agendas from 2026, Smith’s application was the only commutation request sponsored by Ford all year.

This is not an isolated lapse in judgment. It is a pattern. Aaron Ford has a track record of supporting soft-on-crime policies:

Ford helped craft AB 236, a law that weakened penalties for larger amounts of drug possession, including fentanyl.
This legislation also weakened penalties for retail theft, raising the threshold for felony theft from $650 to $1,200 fueling the rise in organized crime.
Ford has refused to condemn the anti-cop rhetoric and reject the defund the police movement.
Ford was also caught fabricating endorsements from law enforcement officers and groups in a political ad. The LVPPA group later sent a cease-desist letter to Ford over his false endorsement ad.

"Aaron Ford' has made it clear it is his priority to protect convicted criminals over Nevada families and victims" said Halee Dobbins, spokeswoman for the Lombardo campaign. "A mother and her unborn child were murdered, and Ford decided the killer deserved a break. Ford has spent at least 420 days out of state and barely shows up for work, and when he does decide to do his job, he puts his political ambition and his woke agenda above public safety every time. In November, Nevadans face a clear choice: a Governor who puts victims first, or an part-time state official who puts criminals and his own career first."

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