Rob Sand on Principles & Values

	Rob Sand on Principles & Values

Jesus and Democrats are both for the little guy

In further explaining his decision to align with Democrats, Sand invoked Jesus Christ--"I think Jesus is for the little guy and I think the Democratic Party, at its best, is for the little guy."--an explanation that ended up being one of several times he referenced Jesus or a story from the Bible as part of his remarks. Source: North Tama Telegraph on 2026 Iowa Gubernatorial race , Aug 29, 2025

It's not about right versus left, but right versus wrong

Rob works with both parties to get things done for Iowans. In the State Auditor's Office, Rob had both an Independent and a Republican in senior leadership positions, and promoted--not fired--employees who made campaign contributions to his political opponents. For Rob, it's not about right versus left, but right versus wrong, and he always stands up for what's right, even when he stands alone. Source: 2026 Iowa Gubernatorial campaign website RobSand.com , Jul 1, 2025

Opens town halls leading crowd in "America the Beautiful"

The town hall is the first stop of 100 that Sand will make across the state this summer and fall. He's slated to visit all of Iowa's 99 counties, including two stops in Lee County, to its two county seats. After leading the crowd in singing "America the Beautiful," Sand spent time introducing himself, highlighting his career in public office and telling the audience that he enjoys fishing, hunting and attending church on Sunday. Source: The Gazette, "Tour", on 2026 Iowa Gubernatorial race , Jun 26, 2025

Partisanship in this state and country has gone too far

When he first registered to vote, he registered as an independent, Sand said, but later "picked my poison" by registering as a Democrat to vote in political primaries. However, he said, "we should be talking about the fact that it is poison, we should still be talking about the fact that no matter what your party is, partisanship in this state and in this country has gone too far." Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch "Moderate" on 2026 Iowa Governor race , Jun 25, 2025

My family's roots in the area go back generations

This fight is personal for me--I'm a born and raised Iowan from Decorah, a small town in Winneshiek County. My family's roots in the area go back generations. Growing up in a small town never made me feel like I had fewer opportunities than I would in big cities. I'm proud of where I'm from. But, the failures of our leaders are stealing bright futures in Iowa from our young people, and forcing them to build their lives outside of the state where they were raised and that they love. Source: Courier Newsroom, "Red or Blue," on 2026 Iowa Governor race , Jun 16, 2025

He's in church every Sunday and cares about his faith

When asked about how he'd win in a Republican-controlled state, Sand replied, "I let people see who I am. Right. Most people, if you said, okay, here's a candidate who was born and raised in a small town who's in church every Sunday and cares about his faith, likes to hunt and fish, and owns guns, including handguns, they'd go, 'Oh, Republican.' Nope, that's me. I don't sound like a typical Democrat." Source: WHO13, "Announcement", on 2026 Iowa Gubernatorial race , May 12, 2025

Click here for definitions & background information on Principles & Values. Click here for a summary of all issue stances of Rob Sand. Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Rob Sand. Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Rob Sand. Click here for VoteMatch responses by Rob Sand. Click here for issue positions of other IA politicians. Click here for IA primary archives. Click here for IA secondary archives.
*Other governors on Principles & Values:*			*Rob Sand on other issues:*
*IA Gubernatorial:* Deidre DeJear Ras Smith *IA Senatorial:* Abby Finkenauer Bob Krause Chuck Grassley Eddie Mauro Joni Ernst Kimberly Graham Michael Franken Theresa Greenfield	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4. Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4. Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate). Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025) Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]