By the Numbers: Rob Sand’s 2026 100 Town Hall Tour

DES MOINES, IA – On Wednesday, nominee for governor Rob Sand wrapped up his ninth annual 100 Town Hall Tour across all 99 Iowa counties plus the two county seats in Lee County. Since June, Rob has criss-crossed the state, meeting Iowans in their communities, answering their honest, unscripted questions, and hearing directly about the challenges they’re facing. Along the way, he laid out his plans to lower costs for hardworking families, combat Iowa’s skyrocketing cancer crisis and improve water quality, strengthen public education and access to affordable health care, and restore trust in state government.

“Public service means showing up, listening, and being accountable to the people you serve. It’s why I do 100 public town halls every single year, and why I think all Iowa elected officials should do public town halls,” said nominee for governor Rob Sand. “For too long, our elected officials have been hiding from the people they represent, dodging tough questions, and voting against Iowans’ best interest. I want to change that and get back to public service, not politics. To every Iowan who showed up, asked a question, or shared their story: thank you. I’m carrying those conversations with me as we work together to turn the page and build an Iowa that’s not redder or bluer, but better and truer.”

Here’s a breakdown of the 2026 100 Town Hall Tour by the numbers:

100 Town Halls hosted this year, bringing Rob’s career total to 900 town halls.
Over 20,000 attendees across all 100 events – doubling Rob’s town hall attendance from last year.
Over 8,200 miles driven.
Over 950 non-scripted questions asked.
Over 100 local press interviews, answering roughly 600 questions from the media.
100 verses of America, the Beautiful sang.

Top issues Iowans raised on Rob’s 100 Town Hall Tour — and his plans to tackle them — included:

The unaccountable school voucher program that sends taxpayer dollars to private schools without transparency or oversight. Rob’s “Accountability for All” plan calls for common sense reforms to the private school voucher program including requiring audits, income limits, and tuition increase.
The growing struggle to find and afford health care, especially in rural Iowa. Rob’s “Healthier Iowa for All” plan would end privatized Medicaid, strengthen rural health care, and help address Iowa’s shortage of doctors and health care workers.
The rising cost of everything from housing and utilities to child care and prescription drugs. Rob’s “Affordability for All” plan would take on those costs and help hardworking Iowans keep more of what they earn.
Iowa’s cancer crisis and the need for clean, safe water. Rob’s “Healthier Iowa for All” plan would invest in cancer research and prevention, radon mitigation, water quality monitoring, and solutions that get at the root causes of Iowa’s rising cancer rates.
Massive data centers driving up demand for energy and water while everyday Iowans are left to pick up the tab. Rob’s plan would require these corporations to pay 100% of the infrastructure and energy costs they create, increase transparency, and protect local control.
Making Iowa a place where the next generation wants to stay, build a life, and raise a family. Rob’s “Opportunities for All” plan would create more opportunities across the state, strengthen rural communities and small businesses, and help make Iowa a more welcoming place for everyone.
A state government that too often listens to insiders instead of the people it serves. Rob’s “Accountability for All” plan would require elected officials to hold regular public town halls and make government more accountable to Iowans.

Rob’s town halls were held at various locations across Iowa, including:

54 community centers/buildings
11 libraries
9 breweries
8 schools
7 restaurants
5 small businesses
3 VFW halls
1 church
1 movie theater
The historic Val Air ballroom