Iowa Auditor Wins Governorship
Rob Sand defeats Zach Lahn in a closely watched race for the state's top executive office.
By Grace Almasi ·
State Auditor Rob Sand will serve as the next governor of Iowa, according to an NBC News projection. This result marks the first time a Democrat has held the office in two decades. Sand takes over from Kim Reynolds, a Republican who is retiring from public service.
The 44-year-old Sand defeated Republican challenger Zach Lahn in a state that President Donald Trump won by 13 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. Sand ran as a moderate candidate and served as the only elected Democratic official in the state prior to this victory.
The general election campaign featured distinct policy and personal attacks. Sand’s campaign described Lahn as a part-time Iowan because the 40-year-old businessman lived and voted in Kansas until recently. Lahn explained his frequent travel to Kansas by noting he has a blended family where his children split time between states.
Lahn countered by characterizing Sand as a liberal billionaire in television ads and debates. He pointed to Sand’s wife, who serves as the chief executive officer of her family’s company. Lahn also claimed her firm polluted Iowa waterways, a specific allegation that Sand’s team rebutted during the race.
Water quality emerged as a central issue for both candidates. Sand told NBC News in October that nitrate pollution from agribusiness is a matter of bipartisan concern for many Iowans. Lahn emphasized the rising cancer rates in the state and promised to seek real solutions if elected.
Lahn secured the Republican nomination with backing from the Make America Healthy Again movement associated with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump initially supported incumbent Representative Randy Feenstra in the primary but endorsed Lahn after the upset victory. The former president also attended rallies in Iowa before the election.
The candidates disagreed on economic strategy. Sand pledged to raise the state minimum wage and make healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable. Lahn focused on boosting small businesses and cutting taxes. Sand will succeed Reynolds in the governor’s office following this election.
