Rob Sand holds a strong position in the 2026 Iowa gubernatorial race as the Democratic nominee in an open-seat contest following term-limited Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. Recent polling averages show Sand ahead of Republican nominee Zach Lahn by roughly 5 points, with individual surveys from Fox News, Marist, and others placing Sand between 49% and 54%. Sand’s record fundraising totals exceeding $37 million and extensive 99-county campaigning have contributed to his advantage, while Lahn, who won a narrow Republican primary upset, trails in cash reserves and voter surveys. Both candidates addressed economic development incentives for a proposed major steel plant during the final weeks before the November 3 election, though trader consensus reflects the consistent polling edge and resource gap favoring Sand.