Red State, Blue Governor: It Could Happen in Iowa. Would It Matter?

[RandySF]

With President Trump’s approval ratings languishing and Democratic candidates polling well, Rob Sand, Iowa’s state auditor, could become the state’s first Democratic governor in 16 years after November’s election.

Yet as governor, Mr. Sand would be unable to block Republican priorities if the G.O.P. wins a supermajority in the state legislature. Republicans would have the numbers to override any of his vetoes, as Govs. Laura Kelly of Kansas and Andy Beshear of Kentucky, both Democratic leaders in Republican states, know all too well.

So Democrats are leaning on a handful of moderate newcomers — bolstered by outside money — to flip several districts in November, and influence the balance of power in a state that has gone from consummate battleground to ruby red over the past decade.

Among them, Jill Alesch, a veteran and former prosecutor, is vying for an open State House seat in suburban Des Moines. Mike Tupper, a retired police chief and former Republican, is seeking to oust a first-term State House Republican in Marshalltown, a small blue-collar city.




https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/us/politics/republican-supermajority-iowa-ohio.html

[DFW]

1. In this case, I think it comes down to the personality involved

I have known Rob Sand for over ten years. He is that rare home-grown politician who gets along with almost everyone while maintaining his stance. If anyone has the people skills to sway a few key members of the opposition his way, Rob is the man. Republicans have been underestimating him for a very long time. While an assistant DA in Des Moines, he was handed an "unsolvable" case of lottery fraud so sophisticated, the DA had thrown in the towel. What they didn't count on was that Rob was both smart and persistent, and had the patience to solve the case, an effort that merited a six page article in the New York Times Magazine. As State Auditor, Rob was so effective in uncovering Republican corruption that they passed a bill--solely because of him--that limited the scope of the duties of the State Auditor. He was catching too many bad guys, most of whom were tied to Republican interests. The Iowa Republicans would dearly love to defeat him, but he also has a not-so-secret weapon up his sleeve. Rob is VERY much a local, from a tiny town of 8000 in a small corner of Iowa. He does lots of media appearances, and both the TV cameras and the hostile interviewers love him. He has a special kind of charisma that is perfect for his state. No one projects that "he-is-one-of-us" image like Rob does. He also has a smart, attractive photogenic family, so there is nothing to attack there, either. If there is anyone who fits the image of "he shouldn't be able to win here, but I think he will anyway," Rob is it. His wealthy opponent is getting the message, as well. A rich self-funder, he is pouring millions of his own money into the campaign--something Rob does not have. Whether or not Rob wins this, I see him in the US Senate within ten years--assuming he doesn't serve two terms as Iowa governor and then jumps right into the race for the White House.

Iowa would be doing itself a huge favor by electing Rob as governor. As we all know, the vote does not always end up being to the benefit of those who voted. Still, I remain hopeful. Every time someone sees him on local Iowa TV and listens, he always leaves the impression that he is the one who deserves the vote, no matter what party he represents.