Rob Sand

Says he does not support reversing Iowa's recent income-tax cuts, while questioning whether the state can sustain its spending commitments under current revenue levels. Proposes revenue from regulated adult-use cannabis and ending data-center tax breaks, alongside mandatory participation in the Public Innovations and Efficiencies program. In the Oct. 14 debate, he acknowledged that cannabis revenue and ending data-center tax breaks alone would not close the budget gap.

Sources: Iowa Capital Dispatch on the Oct. 14, 2026 debate: budget and schools · KGAN interview with Rob Sand, Oct. 5, 2026 · Rob Sand campaign plan: Accountability for All · Rob Sand campaign plan: data centers and corporate accountability

Supports raising Iowa's minimum wage to $12 an hour. Proposes expanding remote state employment throughout Iowa, removing unnecessary four-year-degree requirements for state jobs, improving broadband access and simplifying assistance for small businesses. His rural-development proposals include an Office of Rural Prosperity to coordinate state services and support new farmers.

Sources: Rob Sand campaign plan: Opportunities for All · Rob Sand campaign plan: Priorities

Proposes a 5% increase in general state school aid in his first year, while saying he cannot promise the same increase in year two. Supports universal all-day prekindergarten and public-school meals. Proposes income limits, annual audits and tuition safeguards for private-school accounts, and says private schools accepting public money should accept students rather than select whom they admit.

Sources: Iowa Capital Dispatch on the Oct. 14, 2026 debate: budget and schools · Rob Sand campaign plan: Making Life More Affordable · Iowa PBS interview with Rob Sand, Nov. 7, 2025 (transcript) · Rob Sand campaign plan: Accountability for All

Proposes beginning to reverse Medicaid privatization on his first day. Has discussed managed care administered by state employees or nonprofits rather than a full return to the former fee-for-service model; in October, he identified nonprofit managed care as the most likely direction. Also proposes prescription-drug price review, tighter pharmacy-benefit-manager oversight, broader telehealth and surprise-billing protections, medical-debt relief, and income-targeted caregiver tax credits of up to $2,000, plus $1,000 for caregivers of veterans.

Sources: KWQC candidate interviews, Sept. 16, 2026 · KGAN interview with Rob Sand, Oct. 5, 2026 · Rob Sand campaign plan: A Healthier Iowa for All · Rob Sand campaign plan: Making Life More Affordable

Opposes blocking access to promising mRNA cancer treatments and has criticized Lahn's earlier support for an mRNA-vaccine ban. His debate comments address access to those treatments; they do not, by themselves, establish a detailed policy on every vaccine or vaccination requirement.

Sources: Iowa First Check analysis of the Oct. 6, 2026 debate transcript · Iowa First Check fact check: Lahn and an mRNA ban, Sept. 8, 2026 · Rob Sand Dubuque town hall (video)

Proposes expanded water monitoring, online manure-management records, conservation tax credits, water-quality alerts, wetland restoration and a Cabinet-level cancer task force. Supports radon warnings and testing, more mitigation professionals, and attention to preventable cancer risks. Opposes legal immunity for chemical manufacturers. His plans also support manure digesters as a way to produce energy and manage agricultural waste.

Source: Rob Sand campaign plan: A Healthier Iowa for All

Opposes eminent domain for carbon-capture pipelines. Proposes restricting hedge funds and LLCs from buying excessive amounts of Iowa land and taxing out-of-state landowners more heavily. Supports local processing, farm-to-school and other institutional food purchasing, farmer mentorship, and additional farm income from agritourism, renewable energy and agricultural-waste products.

Sources: Rob Sand campaign plan: Opportunities for All · Iowa PBS interview with Rob Sand, Nov. 7, 2025 (transcript) · Rob Sand campaign announcement: Opportunities for All, Aug. 12, 2026 · Iowa Capital Dispatch on Sand's farm and land proposals, Aug. 12, 2026

Proposes interest-free first-time-homebuyer assistance, simpler permitting and inspections, and easier construction of duplexes, fourplexes and accessory dwelling units. Supports prohibiting landlords from using algorithms to coordinate rent increases. His proposals emphasize increasing housing supply while reducing financing and administrative costs.

Source: Rob Sand campaign plan: Making Life More Affordable

Proposes ending data-center tax breaks, requiring companies to cover infrastructure and utility costs, prohibiting secrecy agreements, and disclosing energy use, water use and jobs. Supports local approval, public hearings, setbacks and Iowa union construction labor. His utility proposals include fee caps, integrated resource planning, distributed generation, efficiency investment and affordable solar options.

Sources: Rob Sand campaign plan: data centers and corporate accountability · Rob Sand campaign plan: Making Life More Affordable

Opposes Iowa's six-week abortion ban and says he would use his veto to prevent additional restrictions and protect access to contraception, IVF and surrogacy. Acknowledges that a governor cannot repeal the existing abortion law without the Legislature. His statements establish opposition to the ban, even though his website does not publish a comprehensive replacement abortion statute.

Sources: Iowa PBS interview with Rob Sand, Nov. 7, 2025 (transcript) · Rob Sand campaign plan: A Healthier Iowa for All

Says he would veto legislation he characterizes as culture-war policy. Proposes regulated adult-use cannabis for people 21 and older. On children's online safety, supports barring social-media use below age 16, parental consent for ages 16 and 17, app-store age checks, independent algorithm audits and restrictions on infinite scrolling for minors.

Sources: Rob Sand campaign plan: A Healthier Iowa for All · Rob Sand campaign plan: cannabis · Rob Sand campaign plan: Keep Iowa Kids Safe Online

Proposes a single public primary, with up to four candidates advancing to a general election using approval voting. Supports restoring auditor powers, stronger whistleblower protections, a stock-trading ban, financial disclosures and prison sentences for theft of more than $10,000 in public money. Also proposes term limits, retirement at 78 for elected officials and judges, candidate fitness and civics requirements, and annual town halls: 20 for statewide officials and five for legislators.

Sources: Rob Sand campaign plan: Accountability for All · Rob Sand campaign plan: Priorities