Rob Sand Announces Coalition of Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leaders Supporting His Campaign for Governor
60 police officers, first responders, prosecutors, and other public safety officials backing Rob Sand
DES MOINES, IA – Today, nominee for governor Rob Sand announced his latest coalition of supporters from across the state and across the political spectrum – “Public Safety Leaders for Rob.” This coalition is made up of police officers and law enforcement officials, prosecutors, first responders, paramedics, firefighters, and other public safety officials who are backing Rob for governor this November.
“I started my career in the Attorney General’s office as a prosecutor, working with law enforcement to lock up criminals and hold the powerful accountable. I know first-hand how hard these officials work to keep our communities safe, and I’m grateful to have their support,” said nominee for governor Rob Sand. “As governor, I’ll continue working with law enforcement and public safety officials across the state to make sure they have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.”
“The county attorney is the county’s chief law enforcement officer, and I hold that office in two rural Iowa counties. For fifteen years, my job has been to exact the accountability that murderers, child molesters, and other dangerous criminals deserve, and to put them where they can’t hurt another Iowan. I work every day with our sheriffs, deputies, and police officers, and I know what they need from the people in charge: the resources to do their jobs, respect for the rule of law, and a governor who has their back. That’s why I’m supporting Rob Sand for governor,” said Sac County Attorney Ben Smith. “Rob is a former prosecutor, and as State Auditor he’s gone after the misuse of Iowans’ tax dollars no matter who was responsible. He has the experience and judgment to keep our communities safe. As a conservative Republican, I won’t agree with Rob on every issue. On law enforcement, though, I don’t have to guess where he stands. He’ll fight for the men and women who run toward danger so the rest of us don’t have to, putting public safety ahead of politics.”
“I spent more than 30 years in law enforcement, including 16 years as Sheriff of Black Hawk County, and I know what it takes to keep a community safe,” said Former Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson. “You need leaders who are willing to listen, work with the people on the ground, and make tough decisions. That’s what I see from Rob Sand. He understands accountability, he respects the people who serve our communities, and I trust him to make public safety a priority as governor. I’m proud to support Rob because I believe he’ll be a governor who keeps Iowans and their communities safe.”
“Keeping people safe is one of the most important responsibilities any governor has, and I know Rob Sand will take that responsibility seriously. He’s spent his career holding people accountable, from putting scammers, thieves, and violent criminals behind bars to holding public officials accountable as State Auditor,” said Polk County Sheriff Kevin Schneider. “Rob understands what law enforcement and local communities need, and I trust him to be a governor who will listen, work with us, and do what it takes to keep Iowans and our communities safe. That’s why I’m proud to support Rob Sand as Iowa’s next governor.”
“I spent 26 years in law enforcement, including 16 years as the Crawford County Sheriff. I know Iowa, and I know what it takes to keep Iowans safe,” said Former Crawford County Sheriff Jim Steinkueler. “As Iowa’s chief public corruption prosecutor, Rob tried cases and locked up criminals across this state. He understands what law enforcement officers face every day and the support we need. Rob’s record speaks for itself. He’s tough on crime, he supports law enforcement, and he’s committed to keeping Iowa communities safe. I’ve got Rob’s back — just like he’s always had ours.”
One of the first policy proposals Rob released as part of his campaign for governor was calling for mandatory jail time for people who steal tax dollars. This is a policy Rob has proposed during every legislative session since taking office as State Auditor, but the insiders who run state government have refused to advocate for this common-sense policy, putting politics in the way.
Rob spent the first seven years of his career in the Attorney General’s office and as Iowa’s chief public corruption prosecutor, locking up scammers, tax thieves, violent criminals, and sexual predators. Rob prosecuted all criminal cases related to the Iowa Film Office tax credit scandal, and uncovered and prosecuted the largest lottery rigging scheme in American history. As State Auditor and as a prosecutor, Rob Sand has held corrupt public officials from both parties accountable when they have broken the public’s trust or misused their position.
For a full list of public safety officials supporting Rob Sand’s campaign, please see below:
- Former Attorney General Thomas J. Miller
- Former Iowa Deputy Attorney General Thomas H. Miller
- Wapello County Sheriff Donald Phillips
- Des Moines Local 4 Firefighter President Joe Van Haalen
- Winnebago County Sheriff Steve Hepperly
- Anthony Kies
- Polk County Sheriff Kevin Schneider
- Former Crawford County Sheriff Jim Steinkuehler
- Former Council Bluffs Police Captain Terry LeMaster
- Fremont County Attorney Peter Johnson
- Former Boone County Sheriff Gregg Elsberry
- Former Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek
- Ida County Attorney Meghann Cosgrove-Whitmer
- Sac County Attorney Ben Smith
- Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner
- Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel
- Former Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson
- John Halbrook
- Fiona Johnson
- Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith
- Former Dubuque County Sheriff and Former U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa Ken Runde
- Former Deputy Director of State Law Enforcement Academy, Former State Representative, and Former Police Officer Wes Breckenridge
- Clay County Attorney Travis Johnson
- Marissa Rothmeyer
- Kevin Techau, Former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
- Floyd County Attorney Todd Prichard
- Nicholas Hall
- Adam DeCamp
- Chris Collins
- John Stuelke
- Melanie Mueller
- Todd Malone
- Former Des Moines County Sheriff Mike Johnstone
- Todd Eaves
- Jude Pannell
- Craig Ver Huel
- Former Johnson County Chief Deputy/Major Steve Dolezal
- Tom Powers
- Shelly Silver
- Former Johnson County Deputy Sheriff and State Senator Kevin Kinney
- Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding
- Council Bluffs Association of Professional Firefighters President Randy Schroeder
- Former Clinton County Sheriff Rick Lincoln
- Toby Waterman
- Corey Trucke
- Former Woodbury County Attorney Patrick Jennings
- Edmund Jones
- Jennifer Westlake
- Retired Council Bluffs Fire Department and Council Bluffs City Councilor Steve Gorman
- Joe Lalla
- Danny Quiles
- David Welsh
- Tony Keefe
- Tim Powers
- Roger Stensland
- Jerry Jones
- Shelby County Attorney Marcus Gross, Jr.
- Daniel Banks
- Iowa Professional Firefighters Association President Ryan Hanghian
- Former Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper