Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand Announces Campaign for Governor

DES MOINES, IA – Today, State Auditor Rob Sand released the following statement announcing his campaign for governor of Iowa.

“For years, Iowa families and communities have continued to fall further behind because our elected leaders aren’t focused on the issues that matter most. I’ve spent my career fighting for Iowans – locking up corrupt public officials, violent criminals, scammers, and thieves, rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, and holding members of both parties accountable. Now, I’m taking my fight to the governor’s office to serve all Iowans by lowering costs, continuing to make government accountable to taxpayers, and working with both parties to create more opportunities to help Iowa families not just get by, but thrive and live healthy lives. In Iowa, we know it’s not about right versus left, but right versus wrong, and as governor, I will always do what’s right for Iowans.”

Rob is a battle-tested and trusted leader, winning two historic statewide races for State Auditor – in 2018, Rob was the first Democrat to hold the office in nearly 50 years and the first Democrat to beat a statewide incumbent Republican in over 30 years, and was reelected by the people of Iowa again in 2022.

Rob will continue traveling across the state to hear from Iowans directly about their top concerns and share his plans to improve their lives. Rob has built a coalition of Iowans from across the state–and across party lines–who believe in his vision for a better Iowa, and who are standing with him as he takes his fight to the governor’s office.

About Rob

Rob was born and raised in Decorah. His family’s Iowa roots span generations – his dad’s family has been in Winneshiek County since getting off the boat from Norway. Rob grew up fishing and hunting in the area with his dad. Growing up in smalltown Iowa will always be an important part of who Rob is.

Rob started his career in public service as an Assistant Iowa Attorney General and Iowa’s chief public corruption prosecutor, locking up scammers, taxpayer abusers, and thieves, as well as violent criminals and well over a dozen sexually violent predators – putting away some of the worst of Iowa’s sexual offenders. He prosecuted all criminal cases related to the Iowa Film Office tax credit scandal and numerous crooked politicians – from both parties. He also uncovered and prosecuted the largest lottery rigging scheme in American history, which he wrote about in his true crime book, The Winning Ticket.

In his first term as Auditor, Rob uncovered more waste, fraud, and abuse in a single term than any other State Auditor in Iowa history, and has uncovered more than $29 million in misspent money since taking office. Rob also coined PIE – the Public Innovations and Efficiencies program, which awards cities, counties, and school districts across the state for their efficiency efforts. Rob’s program is so effective that all Iowa counties are participants, and it has been copied in two other states – including by the Republican State Auditor of Mississippi.

Rob works with both parties to get things done for Iowans. In the State Auditor’s Office, Rob had both an Independent and a Republican in senior leadership positions, and promoted – not fired – employees who made campaign contributions to his political opponents. For Rob, it’s not about right versus left, but right versus wrong, and he always stands up for what’s right, even when he stands alone. Rob has brought Iowans together from across the state – and across party lines – who believe in his vision for a better Iowa, and are standing with him as he takes his fight to the governor’s office.

When he’s not busy working for Iowans and fighting corruption, you can find Rob bowhunting, fishing, biking, spending time with his family, or taste-auditing pizza at the nearest Casey’s. Rob and his wife Christine have two sons and a dog, Pow.

To learn more about Rob, visit RobSand.com.