The Iowa race for governor has become the most expensive in state history, with Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn raising a combined $81 million for the campaign. Sand has raised about $54 million while Lahn has raised about $27 million, according to campaign finance reports reviewed by Newsweek. The most recent filings, made Monday, cover July 15 to October 14.
During that period, Lahn raised $16.9 million and Sand $16.3 million. Iowa’s 2018 race for governor had previously been the state’s most expensive, with Democrat Fred Hubbell and Republican Kim Reynolds raising a combined $36 million. Democrats are seeking a return to the governor's mansion for the first time since 2011 as Sand has run a campaign targets moderates, independents and disaffected Republicans.
The party is also hoping to flip the state's Senate seat and is targeting several House seats as it looks to take control of both chambers of Congress. Republicans have poured significant resources into Iowa in an attempt to retain the governor's mansion and the Senate seat. The record spending in Iowa’s governor race extends beyond just state money, as national political organizations have poured millions into both candidates.
The Republican Governors Association’s Right Direction PAC contributed $11.8 million to Lahn in the latest reporting period alone, while the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) gave Sand $5.5 million. DGA Director Sam Newton told Newsweek that it was financially backing Sand because it believes “Iowans are ready for change, and this is a top flip opportunity…after 10 years of one-party rule.” Newsweek contacted both campaigns, the Republican Governors Association’s Right Direction PAC and the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board via email on Wednesday for comment. Sand has been raising money for his campaign since January 2024, before he officially announced his run in May 2025.
He raised $8.6 million in 2024, mostly from his family. Sand, contributed at least $1.9 million, his father-in-law, Nixon Lauridsen, $2 million and his mother-in-law, $2 million, according to 2024 disclosures for the Rob Sand for Iowa campaign. The DGA, a national organization dedicated to electing and supporting Democratic governors, has contributed $8 million to Sand’s campaign—all this year.
Newton told Newsweek that the DGA is “proud to be all-in for State Auditor Rob Sand, who has always been an independent thinker and is running to make life better for Iowans by tackling corruption, lowering costs and taking on the state's cancer crisis.” “National Republicans are spending tens of millions of dollars to continue the failed status quo with career political operative and Kansas carpetbagger Zach Lahn,” Newton added. The DGA is led by Democratic governors Andy Beshear (Kentucky), Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan), Gavin Newsom (California) and Maura Healey (Massachusetts). Its donors include American Opportunity Action, an advocacy group focused on policies affecting women and families, America Works USA, a nonprofit promoting progressive policies, and Deborah Simon, a philanthropist and daughter of the late shopping mall developer Mel Simon, according to IRS disclosures compiled by ProPublica.
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