I understand your suggestion, but the way I see it, Rob Sand has been weathering unending attacks as State Auditor by all the state Republicans and acquitting himself quite well. He really doesn’t need a primary challenger to get into fighting shape.
Understand your point, Chris. But he ain’t seen nothing yet. Once he sticks his hand up for governor, they will really attack him in personal ways he’s not dealt with to this point.
It will not be easy, Sharon. But worth it. A complete hold on the levers of power by one party is not good for the majority of Iowans - no matter which party it is.
I don't know if this is a factor, but the legislature is over 60% republican. I found that pretty out of balance. I don't know if a "balance it out" campaign would work, but I'll be voting for that.
Primaries give voters a choice. Competition gets folks excited. Thanks for your perspective. I know. I ran against a “chosen one” and won that primary.
Every now and then, it makes sense to “clear the field” before a primary, but it’s an exception. As you’ve proven, and sports proves all the time, you don’t win the game on paper. You’ve got to compete on the field and win or lose.
We AGREE with you!! We absolutely need a Democratic primary. Go back to 2022 and Sand's most-recent re-election bid for Auditor. Rob Sand was the incumbent, and was challenged by Republican Todd Halbur -- who had almost NO Republican support. Sand vastly outspent Todd Halbur -- something like 40 to 1 -- look it up! And yet, incumbent Sand won by ONLY 2893 votes -- a very thin margin in a statewide election. We've continued to be surprised that nobody is talking about this. Sand really needs to up his game to have any chance of winning a statewide election in 2026.
All excellent points. Even that 2022 campaign, as competitive as it was, does not prepare him for a more high profile race. I’m GLAD he has run two statewide campaigns and won. That experience is invaluable. Democrats have been nominating too many candidates in recent years who’ve never run before. So it’s great Sand has that experience. It gives him a leg up, for sure. But this race will be much, much tougher.
Either Trone Garrett or Kornfrst could raise their sights from a Congressional to a Gubernatorial primary. Yes, there's an element of taking one for the team, but I don't think I'm the only one who could be convicted to vote for one of them. Throwing Sand in the gears of a hard-fought nomination process will give whomever gets the nod the grit needed to win in 2026
Dave, your theory is supported by the election history of Gov. Reynolds' four predecessors. Prior to Gov. Branstad returning to office by unseating Gov. Culver in 2010, Gov. Branstad emerged the winner of a pretty contentious primary campaign with Bob Vander Plaats and Rod Roberts. And as we know, Gov. Branstad never lost an election. Tom Vilsack won a primary over former Supreme Court Justice Mark McCormick before being first elected governor over former U.S. Rep Jim Ross Lightfoot in 1998. Gov. Robert Ray won a three-way primary election before winning an open governor's seat over Democratic nominee and then-State Treasurer Paul Franzenburg, unopposed in his primary, in 1968. And Gov. Harold Hughes actually lost a Democratic gubernatorial primary to then-Lt. Gov. Edward McManus in 1960 before winning a 1962 primary over Lewis Lint and then unseating Gov. Norman Erbe in 1962. Branstad was unopposed in his first bid for governor in 1982 but had been twice elected lieutenant governor heading into that election -- having been first elected to that seat in 1978 after winning a three-way primary when incumbent Lt. Gov. Art Neu did not seek re-election.
Good bit of history, Pat. I covered Branstad’s first run for governor. He out-worked everyone early on and that discouraged any Republican competition. And, a lot has changed since 1982, both in politics and media. A bit of a different game today.
The propaganda machine did most of the work to beat Braley, as I recall. Someone caught him on mic at a fundraiser telling the truth about Grassley and what would happen if he became chair of Judiciary. He was right and this has been proven over and over since then. At the time his comment sounded like an insult to Chuck and was used to destroy him. Rs with the help of the media beat him over the head with it relentlessly. There was no coming back from it. I feel like political analyses without some inclusion of the conservative dominated media is incomplete generally.
You are absolutely right on that point. They beat him up for months on end over that one comment. And as we learned multiple times since then, particularly when Grassley stonewalled the Garland nomination, Braley was right all along.
The one big way for Rob to win, is the Democrats standing strongly behind him. Harris and Walz lost because the Democrats were basically nowhere to be seen...if the Party stands behind Rob, he can win because they can focus on his courage and continuing actions while the Republicans have tried everything to stop the auditor from acting against fraud, waste, and abuse.
Dave: A very good perspective. In the current political atmosphere and the historical one you mentioned candidates need to be tested. It is not a time for assumptions as to the candidate's abilities. I like what Rob Sand has accomplished but he will need to tap into more moderate Republicans and of course Independents. It is my hope that he has or will be a very good Team around him to take on the fight.
Readers, since writing this column Thursday evening, I’ve learned of at least one other candidate who plans to run. Longtime political strategist Julie Stauch filed papers in late April to run for governor. Iowa Writers’ Collaborative colleague Laura Belin had a brief mention of it a few days ago, but I missed it.
Agreed - Rob Sand seems like a near-perfect candidate for the reasons you mentioned. BUT, I also thought Mike Franken was the perfect candidate for US Senate and he bombed on TV and at the polls. Yes, Iowa is more difficult for Democrats to win in the past couple of decades. There are only so many Polk, Johnson, Linn, Story, Black Hawk, and possibly Dubuque and Scott counties around. You are so right about primaries helping like dress rehearsals help actors before the lights come on, the audience arrives and it is showtime!!!! Thank you!
Mike Franken was a carpetbagger who had zero experience in politics (not just as a candidate -- he never worked on behalf of any candidate.) Left Iowa at age 18 and only bought his Iowa residency back with the purchase of a little downtown Sioux City condo to give himself an Iowa address -- which he immediately sold when he lost and went back to his (real) Virginia home. Franken's wife had NO intention of moving to Iowa. Franken's military career had no connection to the needs of Iowans. At least Abby Finkenauer had flipped a congressional district from Red to Blue. Not saying she would have beat Grassley, but she had more receipts re: fighting for Iowans in the Iowa Legislature and in Congress.
Can’t disagree with any of that. Franken was a quality candidate but I agree he had not spent enough time in Iowa and certainly hadn’t paid his dues politically.
I understand your suggestion, but the way I see it, Rob Sand has been weathering unending attacks as State Auditor by all the state Republicans and acquitting himself quite well. He really doesn’t need a primary challenger to get into fighting shape.
Understand your point, Chris. But he ain’t seen nothing yet. Once he sticks his hand up for governor, they will really attack him in personal ways he’s not dealt with to this point.
Oh yeah! That’s a given. That’s the only way they campaign anymore.
BTW, I do appreciate your take.
Thank you Dave! I am so looking forward to new elections! I have hope for better days! 😊
It will not be easy, Sharon. But worth it. A complete hold on the levers of power by one party is not good for the majority of Iowans - no matter which party it is.
Agree! 😊
I so look forward to reading your columns… I have missed your perspective on things since I don’t see you everyday anymore!
Thanks for your support, Heidi.
Great advice, Dave!
I don't know if this is a factor, but the legislature is over 60% republican. I found that pretty out of balance. I don't know if a "balance it out" campaign would work, but I'll be voting for that.
Agree. Balance of power leads to better decisions for the majority of Iowans.
Primaries give voters a choice. Competition gets folks excited. Thanks for your perspective. I know. I ran against a “chosen one” and won that primary.
Every now and then, it makes sense to “clear the field” before a primary, but it’s an exception. As you’ve proven, and sports proves all the time, you don’t win the game on paper. You’ve got to compete on the field and win or lose.
Yes! Yes! Yes! A primary is critical for all concerned. It helps to hone a message, show competitive chops and increase name recognition 😉
Exactly right!
We AGREE with you!! We absolutely need a Democratic primary. Go back to 2022 and Sand's most-recent re-election bid for Auditor. Rob Sand was the incumbent, and was challenged by Republican Todd Halbur -- who had almost NO Republican support. Sand vastly outspent Todd Halbur -- something like 40 to 1 -- look it up! And yet, incumbent Sand won by ONLY 2893 votes -- a very thin margin in a statewide election. We've continued to be surprised that nobody is talking about this. Sand really needs to up his game to have any chance of winning a statewide election in 2026.
All excellent points. Even that 2022 campaign, as competitive as it was, does not prepare him for a more high profile race. I’m GLAD he has run two statewide campaigns and won. That experience is invaluable. Democrats have been nominating too many candidates in recent years who’ve never run before. So it’s great Sand has that experience. It gives him a leg up, for sure. But this race will be much, much tougher.
Either Trone Garrett or Kornfrst could raise their sights from a Congressional to a Gubernatorial primary. Yes, there's an element of taking one for the team, but I don't think I'm the only one who could be convicted to vote for one of them. Throwing Sand in the gears of a hard-fought nomination process will give whomever gets the nod the grit needed to win in 2026
Sorry, meant to say convinced
Excellent points, Dave. I've never considered a primary to be an advantage. You changed my mind.
Dave, your theory is supported by the election history of Gov. Reynolds' four predecessors. Prior to Gov. Branstad returning to office by unseating Gov. Culver in 2010, Gov. Branstad emerged the winner of a pretty contentious primary campaign with Bob Vander Plaats and Rod Roberts. And as we know, Gov. Branstad never lost an election. Tom Vilsack won a primary over former Supreme Court Justice Mark McCormick before being first elected governor over former U.S. Rep Jim Ross Lightfoot in 1998. Gov. Robert Ray won a three-way primary election before winning an open governor's seat over Democratic nominee and then-State Treasurer Paul Franzenburg, unopposed in his primary, in 1968. And Gov. Harold Hughes actually lost a Democratic gubernatorial primary to then-Lt. Gov. Edward McManus in 1960 before winning a 1962 primary over Lewis Lint and then unseating Gov. Norman Erbe in 1962. Branstad was unopposed in his first bid for governor in 1982 but had been twice elected lieutenant governor heading into that election -- having been first elected to that seat in 1978 after winning a three-way primary when incumbent Lt. Gov. Art Neu did not seek re-election.
Good bit of history, Pat. I covered Branstad’s first run for governor. He out-worked everyone early on and that discouraged any Republican competition. And, a lot has changed since 1982, both in politics and media. A bit of a different game today.
He also set up his successor as a de facto incumbent, whether it was by accident or design.
The propaganda machine did most of the work to beat Braley, as I recall. Someone caught him on mic at a fundraiser telling the truth about Grassley and what would happen if he became chair of Judiciary. He was right and this has been proven over and over since then. At the time his comment sounded like an insult to Chuck and was used to destroy him. Rs with the help of the media beat him over the head with it relentlessly. There was no coming back from it. I feel like political analyses without some inclusion of the conservative dominated media is incomplete generally.
You are absolutely right on that point. They beat him up for months on end over that one comment. And as we learned multiple times since then, particularly when Grassley stonewalled the Garland nomination, Braley was right all along.
The one big way for Rob to win, is the Democrats standing strongly behind him. Harris and Walz lost because the Democrats were basically nowhere to be seen...if the Party stands behind Rob, he can win because they can focus on his courage and continuing actions while the Republicans have tried everything to stop the auditor from acting against fraud, waste, and abuse.
Dave: A very good perspective. In the current political atmosphere and the historical one you mentioned candidates need to be tested. It is not a time for assumptions as to the candidate's abilities. I like what Rob Sand has accomplished but he will need to tap into more moderate Republicans and of course Independents. It is my hope that he has or will be a very good Team around him to take on the fight.
Good points, Bob.
Readers, since writing this column Thursday evening, I’ve learned of at least one other candidate who plans to run. Longtime political strategist Julie Stauch filed papers in late April to run for governor. Iowa Writers’ Collaborative colleague Laura Belin had a brief mention of it a few days ago, but I missed it.
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/05/01/a-text-poll-tested-these-positive-messages-about-rob-sand/
A long way to go before the primary in June of 2026.
Is Rob Sand running as a Democrat? Or, as an Independent? His announcement today doesn't mention if he's actually running as a Democrat.
Oh, he’s a D. No question about that.
Agreed - Rob Sand seems like a near-perfect candidate for the reasons you mentioned. BUT, I also thought Mike Franken was the perfect candidate for US Senate and he bombed on TV and at the polls. Yes, Iowa is more difficult for Democrats to win in the past couple of decades. There are only so many Polk, Johnson, Linn, Story, Black Hawk, and possibly Dubuque and Scott counties around. You are so right about primaries helping like dress rehearsals help actors before the lights come on, the audience arrives and it is showtime!!!! Thank you!
Mike Franken was a carpetbagger who had zero experience in politics (not just as a candidate -- he never worked on behalf of any candidate.) Left Iowa at age 18 and only bought his Iowa residency back with the purchase of a little downtown Sioux City condo to give himself an Iowa address -- which he immediately sold when he lost and went back to his (real) Virginia home. Franken's wife had NO intention of moving to Iowa. Franken's military career had no connection to the needs of Iowans. At least Abby Finkenauer had flipped a congressional district from Red to Blue. Not saying she would have beat Grassley, but she had more receipts re: fighting for Iowans in the Iowa Legislature and in Congress.
Can’t disagree with any of that. Franken was a quality candidate but I agree he had not spent enough time in Iowa and certainly hadn’t paid his dues politically.