Campaign Almanac: Rob Sand announces early $2M fundraising haul in Iowa gubernatorial run

DES MOINES — Rob Sand raised more than $2.25 million in the first 24 hours after officially announcing his campaign for Iowa governor, his campaign said Tuesday.

Sand is the Iowa State Auditor and the only Democrat elected to statewide office in Iowa. Sand on Monday announced the gubernatorial campaign that many had expected.

The $2.25 million raised in the first 24 hours of Sand’s campaign does not include any donations from Sand himself or his in-laws, his campaign said.

Sand raised $8.4 million in 2024, $7 million of which came from his wife and her family, state campaign fundraising records show.

The donations made in the first 24 hours of Sand’s gubernatorial campaign came from all 99 Iowa counties and include Democrats, Republicans and no-party voters, Sand’s campaign said.

Official state campaign fundraising reports for 2025 will not be filed until next year.

“For too long, Iowa families have been left behind while our elected officials work for their special interests and powerful insiders. These last 24 hours have proved that Iowans are rejecting the status quo that has left them worse off, and are ready for something different,” Sand said in a news release.

“Iowans from every county came together to support this campaign because they know that I’ll put them first and get to work on Day One solving some of our state’s toughest challenges. I’m grateful to the Iowans who put their trust in me and who gave their hard-earned dollars to support this campaign so I can continue fighting for all Iowans in the governor’s office.”

Sand is the only Democratic candidate to file paperwork to run for Iowa governor in the state’s 2026 elections.

Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has held the post since 2017, announced last month that she will not seek another term. Republicans running or exploring a run for governor thus far include Congressman Randy Feenstra, state lawmaker Mike Bousselot, and former state lawmaker and pastor Brad Sherman.

Ryan Melton announces Congressional run

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Ryan Melton, an insurance manager and two-time Democratic Party candidate for Western Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, announced last week that he is again vying for a seat in the most-conservative part of the state.

Melton, who lives in Webster City, ran in 2022 and 2024 against Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, of Hull, and lost by more than 30 percentage points each time. However, Melton has pointed out online and in campaign dispatches that his performance improved (by about 2.5 points) between the two cycles.

Melton said he is prioritizing property rights, public health — advocating for Medicare for All — rural revitalization and “transparent, representative governance.”

On the latter point, Melton said, “Ensuring that elected officials are accountable and act in the best interests of their constituents instead of the oligarchs, by pushing to end Citizens United to rid our politics of corporate money.”

Trump endorses Zach Nunn for Iowa’s 3rd District

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Republican President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Congressman Zach Nunn in central Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District in a recent social media post.

Trump, in the post, said Nunn is “a brave combat veteran” who is fighting for Republican policies on the economy and taxes, agriculture, immigration, foreign policy, and gun regulations.

Nunn, 46, is expected to seek re-election but has yet to make a formal announcement. He recently ruled out a run for Iowa governor.

Two Democrats — state lawmakers Jennifer Konfrst and Sarah Trone Garriott — have announced their campaigns in the 3rd District.

Political forecasters expect the race to be one of the country’s most competitive next year. Sabato’s Crystal Ball recently labeled the district a toss-up. Nonpartisan elections analysts at the Cook Political Report rates the seat as one that “leans Republican.”

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

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