Iowa Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Zach Lahn (R) vs. Rob Sand (D). General election Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
What does a governor do?
Runs the state government. Proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes bills passed by the legislature, and appoints the heads of state agencies. Usually 4 years (2 in NH and VT).
- State budget, schools and Medicaid funding
- Signs or vetoes state laws
- Leads emergency response and the state National Guard
Your options
Listed alphabetically by last name. Each box has the same sections in the same order. Donation and campaign links appear only after we confirm they belong to the candidate's own committee.
Zach Lahn
Who they are
In their words: “The Iowa we love will not preserve itself. Zach Lahn for Governor: real plans for cancer and water quality, affordability, education, and keeping Iowa's kids in Iowa.” campaign site
What they say they'll do
- Clean water should be something every Iowan can count on.
- Iowa schools should be built around learning, not bureaucracy.
- Clean water should be something every Iowan can count on.
- Iowa schools should be built around learning, not bureaucracy.
- Clean water should be something every Iowan can count on.
What they've done
Who funds them
In short
WinRed page belongs to "Lahn for Governor", checked against the page's own recipient details.
Rob Sand
Who they are
In their words: “Rob Sand for Iowa Governor. Rob is only beholden to the people of Iowa, and Rob stands up for what” campaign site
What they say they'll do
What they've done
Who funds them
In short
ActBlue page belongs to "Rob Sand", checked against the page's own recipient details.
Where they stand, issue by issue
Quotes are taken from each campaign's own website (first sentences of the section, unedited). Topics are assigned by keyword; we do not summarize or score positions. "No public position found" means we did not find the topic on the campaign site, not that the candidate has no view.
Zach wants Iowa’s public schools competing with the best schools in the country. His plan includes: Making the governor’s office the strongest advocate for public-school students. Creating innovation zones that give superintendents, principals, and teachers more freedom to adopt innovative models.source
Iowa does not have to choose between clean water and strong agriculture. Zach’s plan is to work with farmers, not against them, and invest in proven solutions that reduce runoff while keeping family farms economically strong.source
No candidate in this race addresses on their site: Cost of living & jobs, Taxes & government spending, Health care, Social Security & Medicare, Immigration & the border, Crime & public safety, Guns, Abortion, Foreign policy & defense, Veterans, Elections & government ethics, Farming & rural issues, Housing, Roads, transit & infrastructure.
About this race
No incumbent is on the ballot (open seat). The race is rated leaning Democratic. Usually 4 years (2 in NH and VT).
Rating from the Cook Political Report race ratings, Oct 23, 2026. Candidates from the Iowa Secretary of State, candidate list for the Nov. 3, 2026 general election.