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Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand kicks off 100 town hall tour for gubernatorial campaign
Sand highlights where he disagrees — and agrees — with Republican policies
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WAUKEE — Iowa State Auditor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand rebuked party labels and fielded questions during a town hall Wednesday at the Prairieview Theatre Arts Center in Waukee.
Sand, a 42-year-old lawyer who is the only Democrat holding statewide elected office in Iowa, launched his campaign in May after Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she will not seek re-election in 2026. Sand has said he is approaching the candidacy with bipartisanship in mind.
Asked by one audience member how he labels himself politically, Sand said he didn’t “really like political parties” and would rather talk to different stakeholders involved before coming to a conclusion on issues.
“Labels are just tools for deciding whether or not you’re in somebody’s tribe or not,” Sand said. “In the state of Iowa, if you want to vote in a primary, you have to pick your poisons. So what did I do? I picked my poison. But we should be talking about the fact that it is poison. We should be talking about the fact that no matter what your party is, partisanship in this state and in this country has gone too far.”
The town hall is the first stop of 100 that Sand will make across the state this summer and fall. He’s slated to visit all of Iowa’s 99 counties, including two stops in Lee County, to its two county seats.
After leading the crowd in singing “America the Beautiful,” Sand spent time introducing himself, highlighting his career in public office and telling the audience that he enjoys fishing, hunting and attending church on Sunday.
Asked by an audience member how he would govern as a Democratic governor with a Republican-controlled state legislature, Sand said he would work with members from both parties to pass legislation and use his veto power if needed.
“There’s some Republicans that I have an easier time working with than some people in my own party who are more there to sort of throw bombs or say mean words,” Sand said. “I’m gonna work my hardest and I will find anybody and work with anybody to try to do good things for the state of Iowa.”
Sand agrees with Democrats on some issues, not on others
While Sand answered questions about spending on Education Savings Accounts and how to address mental health care service shortages in Iowa with responses that aligned with his Democratic colleagues in Iowa, he diverted from the stances held by the party on other issues.
When restrictions on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were brought up by an attendee, Sand said he agrees with a bill passed by the Iowa Legislature last session that would establish eligibility requirements on products purchased using the funds.
In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a waiver submitted by Reynolds to ban the purchase of certain grocery items, including soda and sweets, using SNAP benefits.
Iowans who receive food assistance won’t be able to use benefits for items that Reynolds said contribute to increasing obesity rates in the state and across the country.
"People have criticized it as paternalistic, saying, like, 'Oh, well, you know, you shouldn't decide what they're going to buy with SNAP.' Well, feeding people might be paternalistic too. And I feed my kids and we don't buy them pop. And I think that makes sense," Sand said.
He told the audience that if elected, he would accept federal Electronic Benefits Transfer program aid during the summer, also called Summer EBT, which Reynolds opted the state out of in 2025 and 2024.
Asked about other topics, including addressing the state's water quality, Sand didn't provide definitive answers, noting that his campaign will be rolling out policy work after having conversations with more people over the next 16 months before Election Day.
Four Iowans have announced campaigns for governor’s office
Several other candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for the governor’s office, including former Republican state lawmaker Brad Sherman of Williamsburg, Republican state Rep. Eddie Andrews of Johnston and Democrat Julie Stauch of West Des Moines.
Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, launched an exploratory campaign for governor last month and has been airing campaign ads across the state
Republican Iowa State Sen. Mike Bousselot of Ankeny also has launched an exploratory campaign.
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