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Rob Sand Could Break Iowa’s GOP Governor Streak

July 14, 2026 · 8:46 am ET · Leave a Comment

“With President Trump’s approval ratings languishing and Democratic candidates polling well, Rob Sand, Iowa’s state auditor, could become the state’s first Democratic governor in 16 years after November’s election,” the New York Times reports.

“Yet as governor, Mr. Sand would be unable to block Republican priorities if the GOP wins a supermajority in the state legislature. Republicans would have the numbers to override any of his vetoes, as Govs. Laura Kelly of Kansas and Andy Beshear of Kentucky, both Democratic leaders in Republican states, know all too well.”

“So Democrats are leaning on a handful of moderate newcomers — bolstered by outside money — to flip several districts in November, and influence the balance of power in a state that has gone from consummate battleground to ruby red over the past decade.”

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2026 Campaign, State House

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Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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