By Islam El-Sakka
Democrat Rob Sand has won the Iowa governor's race, NBC News projects, becoming the first Democrat to capture the office in 20 years. Sand, the state auditor, defeated Republican businessman Zach Lahn in the Nov. 4 election.
Campaign Dynamics
Sand ran as a moderate and was the only Democratic statewide elected official in Iowa. Lahn repeatedly portrayed Sand as a carpetbagger and a "part-time Iowan" because he lived and voted in Kansas until recently. Lahn also labeled Sand a "liberal billionaire" in a debate, pointing to Sand's wife's role as CEO of her family's company, and claimed her company polluted Iowa's waterways, which Sand refuted.
Key Issues
Pollution from agribusiness and Iowa's rising cancer rates were central themes for both candidates. Sand emphasized bipartisan agreement on water quality and pledged to raise the minimum wage while making healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable. Lahn highlighted increasing nitrate loads in water and promised to work toward "real solutions," while also pledging to boost small businesses and cut taxes.
Primary Background
Sand cruised to the Democratic nomination earlier this year. Lahn pulled off an upset against Rep. Randy Feenstra in the Republican gubernatorial primary, aided by support from the "Make America Healthy Again" movement associated with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Although Trump backed Feenstra in the primary, he endorsed Lahn afterward and appeared at rallies in Iowa before Election Day.
National Context
The race unfolded in a state President Donald Trump carried by 13 points in 2024. Sand's victory flips the governorship in a Republican-leaning state, succeeding retiring GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds.
