Iowa Democrat Rob Sand wins governor’s race, ending Republican hold since 2006
Sand projected as winner
CBS News projects Sand will take the governor’s office after defeating Lahn. The win would make him the first Democrat elected Iowa governor since 2006. Sand became state auditor after winning election in 2018, then secured another term in 2022. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Lahn’s path to nomination
Lahn, a 40-year-old farmer and businessman, won the Republican primary by 1,700 votes. He had defeated the candidate backed by President Trump.
Campaign followed Reynolds decision
Reynolds announced in April 2025 that she would not run again. Sand entered the race the following month, despite expectations that a Republican would succeed her. Sand began his campaign with $8 million raised and spent the past year traveling across Iowa, including a 100-stop trip. He raised more money than Lahn during the campaign and criticized Lahn over voting in Kansas as recently as 2022.
Key points
- Rob Sand is projected to become Iowa’s first Democratic governor elected since 2006.
- Sand defeated Republican Zach Lahn, who won his party’s primary by 1,700 votes.
- Sand was elected state auditor in 2018 and reelected in 2022.