Rob Sand Announces Debate Schedule
DES MOINES, IA – Today, nominee for Iowa governor Rob Sand announced the following availability and terms for debating in the general election:
The Rob Sand campaign commits to participating in four general election debates – more debates than any campaign has participated in for the general election going back over 20 years in Iowa gubernatorial race history – with one in each of the following media markets: Des Moines, Sioux City, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport. Availability for the debates will occur after the conclusion of Rob’s annual 100 Town Hall Tour starting on October 1, and leading up to the start of early voting. Team Sand will work with individual news outlets to determine the host of each debate in each market. If our opponent does not accept the invitation for the four debates, Rob Sand will instead do an additional town hall for every debate he doesn’t commit to, giving Iowans additional opportunities to ask him non-pre-screened or scripted questions directly.
In addition to the four debates, Rob also challenges his opponent to hold 100 of his own town halls on the same terms as Rob – with advanced public notice, open to the public and to members of the press, and with no pre-selected or scripted questions. These are also the terms for the policy proposal Rob has outlined as part of his “Accountability for All” plan.
“For me, public service is about showing up and listening to Iowans. It’s why I’ve done 100 town halls every single year since running for State Auditor, and why I’d mandate town halls for elected officials as your next governor. Town halls with advanced public notice and open admission are the priority, but debates are important, too,” said nominee for governor Rob Sand. “Iowans deserve direct answers to their questions and to know where each candidate stands. I’ve been traveling the state for over a year for this campaign, and Iowans have had the opportunity to ask me anything they want. While our current leaders have moved away from these traditions over the last few years, I’m committed to showing up for Iowans. I hope my opponent will meet this challenge and accept these terms so Iowans have an opportunity to hear from each of us on the most pressing issues.”
Rob’s opponent is career political operative and Kansas carpetbagger Zach Lahn, who only recently moved to Iowa and maintains his residence in Kansas. Lahn promises if he’s elected in November to be in Iowa “as much as humanly possible.” Lahn is a long-time Koch-connected campaign operative who opposes Medicaid expansion, wants to further cut funding to public schools, and is too extreme and out-of-touch for Iowa voters.
For media interested in hosting a debate in the Des Moines, Sioux City, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport media markets, please contact press@robsand.com to discuss the details.