Iowa Gubernatorial Candidate Rob Sand Defends Green New Deal, Immigration Policies
Iowa Democrat Rob Sand defends Green New Deal, opposes sex definition bill, and supports immigration, amid GOP criticism.
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Iowa Democrat gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand has come under scrutiny for his past statements, including labeling himself ‘extremely liberal’ during his time at Brown University and defending the Green New Deal amid Republican criticism. Sand, who is running against Republican Zach Lahn for the November election, has also opposed a bill defining sex as ‘either male or female as observed or clinically verified at birth’ and expressed support for increasing immigration to Iowa.
Defends Green New Deal Against Misinformation
Sand defended the Green New Deal (GND) in 2019 after Republican candidate Randy Feenstra shared a graphic claiming the proposal would ‘ban cows,’ ‘ban air travel,’ and ‘pay those who are ‘unwilling to work.’ Sand corrected the misinformation, stating, ‘Fact Check: None of this is in there.’ He emphasized that the GND bill, not the FAQ, is what matters, and that the plan aims to address climate change through government-led energy initiatives.
Opposes Sex Definition Bill
In February 2025, Sand opposed Iowa House Study Bill (HSB) 242, which sought to define sex as ‘the state of being either male or female as observed or clinically verified at birth.’ He stated, ‘My faith drives me to believe that legalizing discrimination is wrong, and HSB 242 is wrong,’ arguing that the bill could lead to discrimination based on gender identity.
Supports Immigration and Economic Policies
Sand has also supported immigration, stating in September 2023 that Iowa would benefit from attracting more people due to its slow population growth. He has previously shared a Bloomberg News column that challenged the narrative of a U.S. immigration crisis, arguing that illegal immigration had largely ended a decade earlier.
Political Background and Campaign
Sand, who has served as Iowa state auditor since 2019, has criticized the two-party system and discussed his past registration as an independent. Despite this, he has publicly identified as a Democrat and played a role in Joe Biden’s 2020 Iowa campaign. His campaign has received support from prominent Democrats like California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Controversial Donors and Campaign Attacks
Sand’s campaign has accepted significant donations, including $250,000 from LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, whose ties to Jeffrey Epstein have drawn scrutiny. The Iowa GOP has called on Sand to address the contribution. Meanwhile, Lahn has attacked Sand’s tax policies, claiming he would raise taxes by $7,500 annually and calling him a ‘billionaire.’
Source: Breitbart
