Prediction Edge
Democrat
Rob Sand

Overview

Current roleAuditor

PartyDemocratic

Political ideologyMainstream Democrat

Age43 years old (Aug 12, 1982)

GenderMale

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LocationIowa

BackgroundAttorney

EducationBrown University (B.A., Political Science, 2005)

Notable personal detailsRobert Howard Sand is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the 33rd Auditor of State of Iowa since January 2019. He previously worked as an assistant attorney general in Iowa, including prosecuting complex financial and public-corruption matters. Sand is a graduate of Brown University and the University of Iowa College of Law.

SourcesShow

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Rob Sand warns that recent large income-tax cuts in Iowa have reduced revenue and created a looming budget shortfall, argues the wealthiest Iowans benefited most from those cuts, and supports raising targeted revenue (including taxing marijuana like alcohol) to address deficits and fund priorities. He has criticized using one-time reserves to paper over structural shortfalls and called for accountability and restoring revenue sources.

Healthcare

Supports strengthening public programs and reversing privatization of Iowa’s Medicaid system, pursuing steps to protect Medicaid access and rural health care; favors expanding access measures such as rural health care loan repayment to attract providers. Does not advocate single-payer or Medicare for All in the cited materials.

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Immigration & Border

Rob Sand supports protecting immigrants who follow rules and contribute to their communities and opposes policies that would make law‑abiding immigrants feel unsafe; he favors limiting state participation in federal immigration enforcement and says use of the National Guard for immigration operations should be guided by public safety and the Constitution.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

The candidate supports abortion access and opposes policies that would restrict access to abortion and emergency contraception; he has pledged to veto bills that would limit abortion rights, IVF, or contraception. He has criticized state actions that paused payment for emergency contraception for sexual assault survivors and frames reproductive access as part of broader health-care policy concerns in rural Iowa.

Climate & Energy

The candidate has emphasized environmental concerns such as water quality and says he is listening to stakeholders and developing plans, but has not published detailed or specific climate or energy policy proposals on his campaign site. Public statements and news coverage show an intent to address related environmental issues but do not commit to clear positions on emissions targets, fossil fuel phase-out, or specific clean energy policies.

Public Safety & Guns

The candidate says he hunts and owns guns, including handguns, and frames himself as a gun owner from small-town Iowa. He has not published a detailed gun policy on his campaign priorities page and, when asked about school shootings, described the solution as broader than solely mental-health or gun-control measures. Public statements emphasize unity and reducing societal divides rather than specific gun-regulation proposals.

News

AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026

Rob Sand is now the Democratic nominee for Iowa governor and will face Republican Zach Lahn in the general election after Lahn won the GOP primary. Sand has been campaigning on health and public policy issues, including a plan to reduce cancer rates, improve water quality, and roll back Medicaid privatization. He also recently said an Iowa Medicaid pharmacy benefit manager audit suggests taxpayers may have been overcharged, though his office said missing records limited how much it could prove. Overall, the race is being described as highly competitive.

en.wikipedia.org+58

Polls

Beacon Research/Shaw & Co. Research
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
53%
Rob Sand
R. Sand
Date (Start - End)SpreadShare
Beacon Research/Shaw & Co. ResearchJun 27, 2026
53.0%
CygnalJun 19, 2026
47.7%
Global Strategy GroupApr 28, 2026
50.0%
Echelon InsightsApr 9, 2026
51.0%
GBAOMar 16, 2026
50.0%
Z to A ResearchOct 13, 2025
45.0%

Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne

Endorsements

Iowa Democratic Governor nominee?

Endorsers of Rob Sand for Iowa Democratic Governor nominee?

Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

Elected official

The Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO endorsed Rob Sand for governor.

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More than 100 Iowa Republicans

Advocacy group

More than 100 Iowa Republicans endorsed Rob Sand through the "Rob-Publicans" coalition.

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Matt Walsh

Former elected official

Former Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh backed Rob Sand as part of the "Rob-Publicans" group.

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Andy Beshear

Political organization

Andy Beshear endorsed Rob Sand at a gubernatorial campaign event.

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Iowa State Education Association

Elected official

The Iowa State Education Association endorsed Rob Sand for governor.

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United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America

Elected official

The UAW officially endorsed Rob Sand for Iowa governor.

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New updates coming soon

We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.

  • Fundraising