Brian Sandoval: From Republican Star to Democrat Ally
Once a star of Nevada’s Republican Party, Brian Sandoval has undergone a noticeable political transformation, embracing policies and positions that align more closely with Democratic Party principles. As Nevada’s Attorney General (2002–2005) and Governor (2011–2019), Sandoval built a conservative resume, appointed as a federal judge by President George W. Bush and securing a landslide re-election in 2014 with 70% of the Nevada vote. Critics argue that Sandoval’s tenure and recent actions reflect a shift toward left-wing priorities. Let’s take a look.
In 2012, Brian Sandoval became the first Republican governor to embrace Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), marking a significant departure from GOP orthodoxy. This move drew sharp criticism from the Nevada Republican Assembly, who labeled it a betrayal of their opposition to federal healthcare mandates and accused him of siding with the Democratic Party. Sandoval reinforced his stance in 2017 by opposing republican efforts to repeal the ACA.
In 2015, Sandoval broke a campaign promise to avoid new taxes by approving a historic $1.1 billion tax package to fund education reforms, including full-day kindergarten and English language learning programs. This decision reignited criticism from conservative groups who accused him of adopting left-wing strategies to fund social programs and eroding the Republican Party’s commitment to opposing tax increases.
Since then, Nevada Republicans have shown growing support for healthcare and education funding and reform. Sandoval’s approach suggests a deep understanding of Nevada’s needs, transcending traditional party lines. However, on contentious issues such as transgender inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and benefits for illegal immigrants, Sandoval aligns more closely with the Democratic Party agenda.
In 2024, as president of the University of Nevada, Sandoval navigated the contentious issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports. He upheld the Nevada Constitution’s prohibition on discrimination, ensuring the university could not legally forfeit a volleyball match against San Jose State University due to a transgender athlete’s participation. Simultaneously, he supported the Nevada women’s volleyball team’s right to opt out of the match without penalty, recognizing their boycott as a protected form of free expression. This approach faced backlash from those who believed he should have firmly backed his students’ choice to forfeit. Sandoval’s position prioritized legal compliance while respecting player autonomy, avoiding explicit endorsement of either the transgender athlete’s participation or the team’s protest.
In 2025, Sandoval reaffirmed his support for DEI policies, defending the university’s inclusivity programs as compliant with anti-discrimination laws and essential for preparing students for global citizenship.
Sandoval’s stance on illegal immigration has also shifted over time, moving from a conservative, enforcement-driven position in 2010—supporting Arizona’s SB 1070, which mandated immigration status checks and documentation and opposing amnesty—to a more left-wing, inclusive approach during his governorship. Sandoval embraced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), supported driver authorization cards for illegal immigrants, and backed in-state tuition for undocumented students—policies aligned with Democratic Party goals of integration—while opposing Trump’s border wall and National Guard deployment.
Sandoval’s divergence from Trump-era republicanism highlights his evolving political stance. He publicly withdrew support for Donald Trump in 2016, signaling an early break from party loyalty. His co-authorship of a 2023 op-ed with progressive Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna, marked a departure from traditional republican principles. Speculation in 2024 that Vice President Kamala Harris considered him for a cabinet position further fueled accusations of being a "RINO," as conservatives pointed to his appeal to democrats as evidence of disloyalty.
Although still a registered Republican, Sandoval has supported policies such as Medicaid expansion, transgender inclusion, and benefits for illegal immigrants, drawing criticism from conservative groups for diverging from the Republican Party’s conservative base, while he maintains that his approach addresses Nevada’s diverse needs.
