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Rob Sand Touts Broad Support with Endorsements From More Than 100 Iowa Republicans

For Immediate Release

Contact: press@robsand.com

Rob Sand for Iowa

6/24/2026

DES MOINES, IA – Earlier this week, nominee for governor Rob Sand highlighted the growing cross-party coalition powering his campaign with the launch of “Rob-Publicans,” a group of more than 100 registered Republican voters from across Iowa who are endorsing his campaign for governor. The “Rob-Publican” coalition includes farmers, small business owners, law enforcement officers, current and former elected officials, and everyday Iowans. 

The announcement builds on a broader cohort of support from across party lines, including more than 1,800 registered Republican donors and 5,000 Republican and no-party petition signers. In fact, more Republicans have donated to Rob’s campaign than his opponent’s by a 3-to-1 margin, a clear signal that Iowans are ready for change after a decade of one-party rule that has left Iowans behind. 

Learn more about the new “Rob-Publicans” coalition below:

Daily Nonpareil: Ex-Council Bluffs mayor among ‘Rob-Publicans’ for Rob Sand

  • Former Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh is backing Rob Sand over Zach Lahn this November.

  • “Rob Sand has demonstrated a clear focus on solving the problems facing Iowans,” Walsh said in the statement. “He has proven that he will be responsible with taxpayer dollars and has the management ability to prioritize the most important issues, ultimately making state government work better for everyone. That is why I am proud to endorse Rob Sand for governor.”

  • Jim Steinkuehler, former Crawford County sheriff, said in the campaign release that he’s supporting Sand as a Republican because “he’s the kind of leader who brings people together instead of driving them apart.”

  • “I’ve seen too much fighting and anger over politics these last several years, and it’s hurt families, friendships, and communities,” Steinkuehler said in the statement. “Rob isn’t like that. He treats people with respect, listens to different viewpoints, and focuses on getting the job done.”

Iowa Starting Line: Sand announces 100 Iowa Republicans backing his governor bid

  • The so-called “Rob-Publicans” include former Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh, former Executive Director of the Republican Party of Iowa Steven C. Noah, a sitting Clay County supervisor, a Sac County attorney, and a former state representative, among others. The campaign also says Sand has received over 1,800 donations from registered Republican voters.

  • Walsh told Iowa Starting Line that his endorsement came down to a simple contrast: Sand keeps showing up, and in Council Bluffs, he said Republicans haven’t.

  • “The only time I saw the governor in Council Bluffs was when Reynolds flew into the airport,” Walsh said, referring to outgoing Gov. Kim Reynolds. He said Sand has visited Council Bluffs three times with a fourth trip coming. “He listens to people.”

  • “I don’t know Zach Lahn from a hill of beans,” Walsh said.

Sioux City Journal: Two GOP elected officials from Northwest Iowa among ‘Rob-Publicans’ backing Rob Sand

  • Sac County Attorney Ben Smith and Clay County Supervisor Barry Anderson are among the Republican elected officials publicly backing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand.

  • The “Rob-Publican” endorsers also include two former elected officials from Northwest Iowa: former Crawford County Sheriff Jim Steinkuehler, former Sheldon City Councilmen Aaron Alons and Wayne Barahona.

  • “As a Republican, I’m supporting Rob Sand because he’s the kind of leader who brings people together instead of driving them apart,” Steinkuehler said in a statement. “I’ve seen too much fighting and anger over politics these last several years, and it’s hurt families, friendships, and communities. Rob isn’t like that. He treats people with respect, listens to different viewpoints, and focuses on getting the job done.”

  • Sand has been running a campaign that emphasizes his support from both major political parties, as well as independent voters.

Carroll Broadcasting Company: Several Local GOP Officials Break From Party Lines To Join Sand’s “Rob-Publicans”

  • Rob Sand, the Democratic nominee for Iowa governor, announced Monday a new slate of endorsements from more than 100 Iowa Republicans. The list, which the Sand campaign has dubbed the “Rob-Publicans,” includes elected officials from the local and county levels, business owners, and even the former Executive Director of the Republican Party of Iowa, Steven Noah.

  • Several current and former elected officials from the listening area have also added their endorsements. Ben Smith, who has won four terms running as a Republican for Sac County Attorney, is among the list of endorsers. Former Crawford County Sheriff Jim Steinkuehler also offered his backing.

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