The Debates

Rob Sand and Zach Lahn are scheduled to meet in four televised debates this fall. This page lists each one with its date, start time and video when one is available. Times are Central.

Watch the debate

Withdrawn · no new date announced

Iowa Press Debates: Governor

Wednesday, October 21 · 7 p.m. Central

Update: Rob Sand withdrew from this debate on Oct. 19 after the death of his brother-in-law, KCRG reported. Zach Lahn's campaign said it supports the decision and will work with Iowa PBS on rescheduling. No new date had been announced as of Oct. 19, 2026.

Had been scheduled as a 90-minute live debate, with Zach Lahn (R-Belle Plaine) and Rob Sand (D-Des Moines) taking questions from Iowa reporters.

Broadcaster announcement → · KCRG report on the withdrawal →

Aired

KTIV Governor Debate

Wednesday, October 14 · 7 p.m. Central

Hosted by KTIV in Sioux City, at KTIV studios. One of three debates in the KCRG-TV9, The Gazette, KTIV and KWQC series; it aired live on KCRG 9.2 and streamed on KCRG's app and KCRG.com, with KTIV, KWQC and KCCI also planned to carry it.

Video from KTIV News 4. Watch on YouTube →

Sand and Lahn: The second debate by the numbers

Speaking time, their most-used words, their plans and the claims that need a closer look.

Read the analysis

Broadcaster announcement →

Aired

KWQC Governor Debate

Tuesday, October 6 · 7 p.m. Central

Prime-time debate at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, hosted by KWQC and moderated by TV6's William Ingalls, Marcia Lense and Matt Christensen. It aired live on 6.3 and COZI and streamed via the KWQC app (Roku, Amazon Fire) and on KCRG's and KTIV's streaming platforms. The 7 p.m. Central start time comes from KCRG's Sept. 3 announcement of the debate series.

Video from KCRG-TV9. Watch on YouTube →

Sand and Lahn: The debate by the numbers

Estimated speaking time, the words each candidate emphasized and six quick checks from the Oct. 6 debate.

Read the analysis

Broadcaster announcement →

Upcoming debates

Upcoming

KCRG Governor Debate

Tuesday, October 27 · 6:30 p.m. Central

Hosted by KCRG-TV9 and The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, at College Community School District. Set to air live on KCRG 9.2 and stream on KCRG's app and KCRG.com, with KTIV, KWQC and KCCI also planning to carry it. Moderators, format and viewing details are to be announced closer to the event.

No video link has been published for this debate yet. We will add one here when the broadcaster posts it.

Broadcaster announcement →

Dates, times and broadcast details come from the broadcasters and campaigns. See the race calendar for every public event.