Return to all news

BY THE NUMBERS: Rob Sand Outraises Zach Lahn by $3 Million

For Immediate Release

Contact: press@robsand.com

Rob Sand for Iowa

7/21/2026

BY THE NUMBERS: Rob Sand Outraises Zach Lahn by $3 Million

DES MOINES, IA – Yesterday, the Rob Sand campaign reported raising a record-breaking $9.38 million in less than two months, breaking state records by more than three times the previous record and outraising his opponent by $3 million. The Sand campaign also received more individual contributions, including from registered Republican voters and Iowa voters in all 99 counties.

By the Numbers:

  • Team Sand: 33,500 individual contributions this reporting period, with donations from 2,400 registered Republicans over the course of the campaign

  • Lahn: 431 this reporting period

  • Team Sand: 95% of contributions $100 or less

  • Lahn: 61% of contributions $100 or less

  • Team Sand: average contribution $280

  • Lahn: average contribution $14,786

  • Team Sand: $17.9 million cash on hand

  • Lahn: $1.04 million cash on hand

    Read more about Rob’s “record-breaking” haul below:

  • Des Moines Register: Sand’s record haul widens cash gap in Iowa governor race

    • Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand announced raising nearly $9.4 million, bringing his total fundraising for the election cycle to a record-breaking $37.8 million.
    • Republican nominee Zach Lahn notched about $6.4 million in total fundraising — a figure that was buoyed significantly by major donations from the Republican Governors Association. The national group has given $5 million directly to Lahn’s campaign since the primary, and it has paid for another $15,000 in advertising on his behalf.
  • Iowa Capital Dispatch: Sand breaks Iowa fundraising record; Lahn receives large party PAC donations

    • During the first four and a half months of 2026, the Rob Sand for Iowa campaign raised $9.68 million, another Iowa fundraising record. With total expenditures accounted for, the Sand campaign has more than $17.95 million on hand as of July 14.
    • Despite having more than $7 million on hand before expenditures, the Lahn campaign has spent more than $5.9 million during the fundraising period, leaving more than $1.04 million on hand.
  • Radio Iowa: Sand with fundraising lead over Lahn in Iowa governor’s race

    • The reports cover fundraising from May 27 through July 14. Rob Sand, the Democrat running for governor, raised nearly $9.4 million over the period. Sand’s campaign says over 33,000 people donated during that seven week stretch.
    • Republican candidate for governor Zach Lahn raised about $6.4 million during the period. About 78% of that money came from the Republican Governors Association.
  • KWQC: Sand raises more than $9M in less than 2 months in Iowa governor race

    • With four months until the election, Sand’s campaign has $17.9 million in cash on hand, according to his campaign and the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.
    • This follows a strong start to the year, where Sand raised $9.6 million through May 26. His campaign manager said the financial haul shows Iowans are ready for change.

###

###