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Rob Sand
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Rob Sand for Governor (CC0)

Democratic · Iowa

Rob Sand

Governor-elect of Iowa; Iowa State Auditor

Won

State Auditor Rob Sand was elected governor of Iowa on Nov. 3, 2026, defeating Republican Zach Lahn 55.5% to 44.5% (AP data via NBC News). He is the first Democrat elected governor of Iowa in two decades.

2026 race

Governor of Iowa

  • Sand55.5%
  • Lahn44.5%

Result Won Won (flip): Sand 55.5%, Lahn 44.5%

Source: nbcnews.com

Biography

Sand, a former assistant Iowa attorney general who prosecuted the state's largest lottery fraud case, has been Iowa's state auditor since 2019. The seat was open after Gov. Kim Reynolds did not seek reelection.

Record

  • Iowa State Auditor since 2019
  • Former assistant Iowa attorney general

Life & background

Things you might not know, from public records.

  • As an assistant attorney general he prosecuted the $25 million Hot Lotto fraud, described as the largest lottery-rigging scheme in U.S. history. [Source]

Coverage

Updated