This is a developing story and will be updated.
State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, announced Monday he is running for governor of Iowa in 2026.
Sand was first elected as state auditor in 2018 and was reelected to a second term in 2022. He was the only Democrat to win a statewide office in Iowa that year.
Sand, 42, is originally from Decorah and now lives in Des Moines. Before being elected state auditor, he was an Iowa assistant attorney general who led the prosecution of a multi-state lottery rigging scheme and investigated film tax credit fraud.
"I’ve spent my career fighting for Iowans — locking up corrupt public officials, violent criminals, scammers and thieves; rooting out waste, fraud and abuse; and holding members of both parties accountable," Sand said in a statement announcing his campaign. "Now, I’m taking my fight to the governor’s office to serve all Iowans by lowering costs, continuing to make government accountable to taxpayers and working with both parties to create more opportunities to help Iowa families not just get by, but thrive and live healthy lives."
Paul Dahl of Webster City is the only other Democrat who has announced he is running for governor. However, he has failed to qualify for the primary ballot in three past elections, and Sand’s significant financial resources could make it very difficult for any primary challengers to compete.
Sand’s campaign finance report for 2024 shows he raised $8.5 million last year, including $7 million in contributions from his wife and in-laws.
Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kauffmann criticized the family contributions to Sand's campaign fund.
"Our state needs a governor who will fight for low taxes, family-first values, and freedom from government overreachーnot some left-wing elitist who is more interested in being a social media influencer that doing the job he was elected to do," Kauffmann said in a statement.
On the Republican side, Gov. Kim Reynolds’ decision to not seek reelection makes the 2026 election the first time since 2006 that there will not be an incumbent governor on the ballot.
Former state Rep. Brad Sherman of Williamsburg announced in February that he would run for governor. After Reynolds said she would not run again, state Sen. Mike Bousselot of Ankeny said he is exploring a run for governor. Several other Republican elected officials have said they are considering running for governor.
