Iowa Democrat Wants Distance From His Own Party. His Record Won’t Let Him. 

Rob Sand, the Democrat nominee for governor in Iowa, has claimed he is “not a party guy,” but his record suggests otherwise, according to his opponent.

With the rise of democratic socialism, many are trying to distance themselves from the Democratic Party, including Sand in the purple state of Iowa. Sand, the current state auditor, recently said at an event in Iowa, “I know my values haven’t changed, even if the parties’ may have moved.”  

However, his Republican opponent Zach Lahn is quick to point out that Sand has a decades-long history of supporting Democrats, donating thousands of dollars to Democrat candidates, and supporting gun control, transgenderism, amnesty, and no limits on abortion. 

“Rob Sand called himself ‘extremely liberal’ in college, and he said it himself, his views have not changed,” Lahn told the Daily Signal. 

“He opposed tax cuts for Iowa families, supported late-term abortions, supported more gun control, opposed school choice, supported men in women’s sports, and opposed deporting illegal aliens,” Lahn continued. “Now, after 20 years as an extreme liberal, he wants voters to believe he’s a moderate, just in time to run for governor.” 

Sand’s history with the Democratic Party began with a college internship with former Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, in 2004. Since 2004, he has supported Howard Dean, former Democratic National Committee chairman, in his run for president; supported Hillary Clinton in her run for president; was supported by former Vice President Kamala Harris; as recently as 2020, supported former President Joe Biden; and supported Harris in her 2024 run for president. 

Sand recently said in an interview with Politico that he does not support Harris running in 2028. 

“No thanks,” he said when asked if he would want Harris or Biden to campaign with him in Iowa. “Let’s move on. We need some new leadership.” 

While he might not want an endorsement from Harris or Biden, he received one from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is expected to run for president in 2028. 

Also, during this campaign cycle, he has accepted a $50,000 check from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, whom Republicans call one of the most liberal governors in the country, and a $250,000 donation from billionaire LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, who has been connected to Jeffrey Epstein. 

Lahn claims Sand is now trying to fool voters in Iowa. 

In 2018, Sand posted on social media that life begins at birth while criticizing Republicans pushing a heartbeat abortion bill. To back his claim, he quoted three Bible verses. 

“This Christian will point out the Bible says in 3 places that life begins at breath,” he wrote, quoting Genesis 2:7, Job 33:4, and Ezekiel 37:5-6. 

Sand also has a history on the campaign trail of vowing to protect transgenderism. 

“If they try to do any more book bans, I’m going to veto them,” he said while talking to a children’s book author who has published transgender family books for children. “My pledge is I’m going to veto culture war bills,” he said, calling her work “fascinating.” 

Sand, who owns multiple firearms, has said he supports stricter gun control, including “may-issue” laws, leaving the final permit decision up to the discretion of the state. These laws would not guarantee concealed-carry licenses, even if the applicant meets all background check requirements. 

Sand did not respond to the Daily Signal’s request for comment.