DES MOINES, Iowa — Rob Sand officially launched his gubernatorial campaign Sunday, marking his first rally as the Democratic nominee for Iowa governor with support from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
The gubernatorial contest between Sand and Republican Zach Lahn is expected to be among the nation’s most competitive races as Iowa grapples with a state budget deficit, struggling agricultural economy and cancer crisis.
While Sand minimizes partisan politics, Democrats are counting on him to reverse their recent electoral setbacks in the state.
“We are all in on flipping Iowa,” said Beshear, chair of the Democratic Governors Association and a potential presidential candidate in 2028. “It’s certainly time for a change, and I think the people of Iowa know that Rob Sand will always put them first and lead in a way that lifts families up and doesn’t leave them out.”
Sand faced no primary opposition, while his general election opponent emerged after Tuesday’s unpredictable five-way Republican primary.
Previously unknown in statewide politics, Lahn gained attention as a business owner condemning farm consolidation and corporate tax breaks, a regenerative farmer aligned with Robert F. Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement and a former political operative who energized Iowa’s conservative base.
For the first time since 1968, Iowa has open contests for both governor and U.S. senator, along with three competitive congressional races. National political figures including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have recently visited the state.
Democrats face significant challenges with a 200,000-person voter registration disadvantage statewide and minority status in every House district. Sand and Senate candidate Josh Turek believe they can attract independents and Republicans frustrated with partisan politics and Republican control in both Washington and Des Moines, which they blame for state problems.
Turek will challenge U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who has already characterized Turek as a liberal ally of party leader Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Lahn has dismissed Sand’s nonpartisan messaging.
“Rob Sand is not a moderate,” Lahn said in his victory speech Tuesday. “He’s a liberal career politician pretending to be someone he’s not.”
Sand frequently criticizes partisanship, expresses skepticism of both major parties and advocates for divided government in Iowa. He believes most Iowans share these views.
If elected in November, Sand would likely work with Republican majorities in both legislative chambers, which recently approved measures limiting executive authority that outgoing Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed.
“I’m not here to tell you that the answer to 10 years of one-party control is to give the other party 10 years of one-party control. I don’t think that’s right,” Sand said Tuesday after voting in the primary. “But I do think that it’s time to say enough to the people who have had 10 years of one-party control. It’s time for balanced government in Iowa.”
Both Sand and Lahn avoid traditional party colors of blue and red in their campaign materials, choosing green instead. Both claim independence from party establishments and argue Iowans want new leadership, though Lahn’s Republican Party has controlled the statehouse for nearly a decade.
Sand’s campaign has contributed approximately $750,000 to the Iowa Democratic Party this cycle, funding Republicans criticize as inconsistent for a candidate claiming nonpartisan status. The Sand campaign explains this investment supports a state party-coordinated effort essential for his gubernatorial victory, while also helping other candidates.
As Democrats analyze their 2024 losses and debate party direction, Beshear offers his red-state leadership as a model for moving forward.
Beshear said he aims to be a “voice of reason in the chaos” of Trump’s administration and accepts being mentioned among potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates, while maintaining focus on the upcoming midterms.
Beyond rallying with Sand, Beshear will attend a “Beers with Beshear” fundraiser for congressional candidate Sarah Trone Garriott, who seeks to defeat Republican Rep. Zach Nunn in the competitive House district covering Des Moines. Beshear said he will also meet with Turek.
The Democratic Governors Association, led by Beshear, has provided the Iowa Democratic Party about $140,000 this cycle, according to filing reports.
