Iowa State Auditor, father, bowhunter, former prosecutor, pizza auditor. Running to be Iowa's next Governor. Public servant, not a politician.
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Articles by Rob Sand
Sand: Treat pot the way we treat alcohol
Treat pot the way we treat alcohol, and end the two-choice political system. I grew up here. I’m raising my family here. I want my kids and every young Iowan to be able to build a good life here. But too many young people today feel like they have to leave Iowa to find opportunity. After a decade of one-party control, our economy is struggling, our education system has slipped, costs have gone up and our cancer rates are among the fastest-growing in the country.
Iowa Auditor Rob Sand Faces Transparency Questions
Skip to stories Breaking •Hudson Valley Battered by Flooding, Power Outages and Road Closures•High Surf Advisory Issued for LA County Beaches•Judge Holds DHS in Contempt Over Wrongful Deportation•Mississippi Investigators Say Woman's Hanging Was Staged•Janitor Charged in Locker Room Photo Scandal•Hudson Valley Battered by Flooding, Power Outages and Road Closures•High Surf Advisory Issued for LA County Beaches•Judge Holds DHS in Contempt Over Wrongful Deportation•Mississippi Investigators Say...
A Medicaid task force won’t eliminate fraud or fix what the MCOs broke Original
As State Auditor, I’ve devoted the last eight years to uncovering waste, fraud and abuse of Iowans’ tax dollars, identifying, on average, more than $4.3 million in misused public funds each year — more than any of my predecessors. So, when the current administration established an 11-member Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force to root out fraud in the system, some wondered why I wasn’t included.
Record campaign turnout for Rob Sand in Cedar Rapids
Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand answers questions from members of the media on Sept. 23, 2026, before speaking to a crowd of more than 1,000 people in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish) CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — More than 1,000 Iowans streamed into the Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids to listen to gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand, the largest town hall turnout of his campaign so far.
A Medicaid Task Force won’t eliminate fraud or fix what the MCOs broke
As State Auditor, I've devoted the last eight years to uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse of Iowans' tax dollars, identifying, on average, more than $4.3 million in misused public funds each year - more than any of my predecessors. So, when the current administration established an 11-member Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force to root out fraud in the system, some wondered why I wasn't included.
Sand revs up base in Fort Madison
ELECTION 2026 Posted Wednesday, September 2, 2026 11:40 am “That's the craziest piece about that. You get into an elected position, then here comes somebody who's gonna develop something, and you say, 'Well, I can't tell the people who it is or what they're gonna build.' That seems wrong to me...” FORT MADISON - An auditor through and through, Democratic candidate Rob Sand wants to be a government watchdog for the people as Governor.
Iowa Democrats Distance Themselves From Harris
Skip to stories Breaking •NCAA Granted Stay in Tennessee Eligibility Lawsuit•Usha Vance Open to Potential JD Vance Presidential Run•What's Trending Now on KALB News•S&P 500 Futures Track Market Momentum•Markets Hit Records as Lawsuits Pile Up•NCAA Granted Stay in Tennessee Eligibility Lawsuit•Usha Vance Open to Potential JD Vance Presidential Run•What's Trending Now on KALB News•S&P 500 Futures Track Market Momentum•Markets Hit Records as Lawsuits Pile Up NCAA Granted Stay in Tennessee...
Iowa Senate Race: Rob Sand Faces Uphill Battle Against Zach Lahn
Newsweekupdated 2h agofirst covered Aug 26, 4:15 PM ET Read the original ↗ Democrat Rob Sand faces a challenging path to victory against Republican Zach Lahn in Iowa's Senate race, according to recent polling data. The matchup reflects the competitive nature of Senate contests in traditionally Republican-leaning states where Democrats must overcome structural disadvantages. Polling shows the race dynamics as voters evaluate both candidates' records and vision for Iowa.
Protecting Iowa public schools and tax dollars
Political Voices Posted 8/25/26 As State Auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all. This item is available in full to subscribers. E-mail Password Print subscribers If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribers Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Protecting Iowa schools, tax dollars are top priorities
Backpacks hang on hooks in a kindergarten classroom during back to school night Aug. 20, 2025, in Tipton. Nock Rohlman/The Gazette As state auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all.
POLITICAL VOICES: Protecting Iowa public Schools and tax dollars
As state auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all. What I am against is waste, fraud and abuse of Iowa tax dollars, and the private school voucher program has been the second biggest invitation to all three since it was enacted.
Protecting Iowa public schools and tax dollars
As State Auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all. What I am against is waste, fraud, and abuse of Iowa tax dollars, and the private school voucher program has been the second biggest invitation to […]
Protecting Iowa Public Schools and Tax Dollars
As State Auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all. What I am against is waste, fraud, and abuse of Iowa tax dollars, and the private school voucher program has been the second biggest invitation to all three since it was enacted. As it stands, the private school voucher system requires no accountability over how tax money is being spent.
ROB SAND: Protecting Iowa public schools and tax dollars
...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of central, north central, northeast, northwest, south central, southeast, southwest, and west central Iowa, including the following counties, in central Iowa, Boone, Dallas, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Story, Tama and Webster. In north central Iowa, Butler, Franklin, Humboldt and Wright.
ROB SAND: Protecting Iowa public schools and tax dollars
As State Auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all. What I am against is waste, fraud, and abuse of Iowa tax dollars, and the private school voucher program has been the second biggest invitation to all three since it was enacted. As it stands, the private school voucher system requires no accountability over how tax money is being spent.
Protecting Iowa public schools and tax dollars
Political Voices: Offering perspectives from both major political parties, from Iowa Newspaper Association Posted Thursday, August 13, 2026 3:01 pm How should the state balance school choice with support for public schools? As State Auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all.
Protecting Iowa Public Schools and Tax Dollars
As State Auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all. What I am against is waste, fraud, and abuse of Iowa tax dollars, and the private school voucher program has been the second biggest invitation to all three since it was enacted. As it stands, the private school voucher system requires no accountability over how tax money is being spent.
DEMOCRATS: Protecting Iowa public schools and tax dollars
As State Auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all. What I am against is waste, fraud, and abuse of Iowa tax dollars, and the private school voucher program has been the second biggest invitation to all three since it was enacted. As it stands, the private school voucher system requires no accountability over how tax money is being spent.
Protecting Iowa Public Schools and Tax Dollars
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Iowa Newspaper Association has organized a monthly feature, available to all participating newspapers, offers perspectives from both major political parties. The following article is part of this feature. As State Auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all.
Opinion | Protecting Iowa Public Schools and Tax Dollars
As State Auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all. What I am against is waste, fraud, and abuse of Iowa tax dollars, and the private school voucher program has been the second biggest invitation to all three since it was enacted. As it stands, the private school voucher system requires no accountability over how tax money is being spent.
Protecting Iowa Public Schools and Tax Dollars
As State Auditor, I’ve been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it’s because I’m against private schools. That’s not true at all. What I am against is waste, fraud, and abuse of Iowa tax dollars, and the private school voucher program has been the second biggest invitation to all three since it was enacted. As it stands, the private school voucher system requires no accountability over how tax money is being spent.
Protecting Iowa public schools and tax dollars
As State Auditor, I've been sounding the alarm on the unaccountable private school voucher program for years. Politicians who like to lie say it's because I'm against private schools. That's not true at all. What I am against is waste, fraud, and abuse of Iowa tax dollars, and the private school voucher program has been the second biggest invitation to all three since it was enacted. As it stands, the private school voucher system requires no accountability over how tax money is being spent.
It’s high time for the truth
Imagine punishing your kid for telling the truth by taking away their allowance years later. It makes no sense, but that’s the logic behind an assertion by Kraig Paulsen, the Director of the Iowa Department of Management (DOM), that failing to reissue the FY2020 Statewide Single Audit puts future federal funding at risk. That’s not true. The federal government doesn’t withhold funds for previous, resolved audit findings. kAm%96 72=D69@@5 H2D :?
It’s high time for the truth Original
Imagine punishing your kid for telling the truth by taking away their allowance years later. It makes no sense, but that’s the logic behind an assertion by Kraig Paulsen, the Director of the Iowa Department of Management, that failing to reissue the FY2020 Statewide Single Audit puts future federal funding at risk. That’s not true. The federal government doesn’t withhold funds for previous, resolved audit findings.
Rob Sand | Substack
Iowa State Auditor, father, bowhunter, former prosecutor, pizza auditor. Running to be Iowa's next Governor. SubscribeMessage
A Special Announcement…My Running Mate
Hey folks – Welcome to the general election! Since officially becoming the nominee last Tuesday night, things have only gotten more exciting: I announced my 2026 100 Town Hall Tour, which starts next week in my hometown of Decorah. I also unveiled a new policy proposal requiring all public officials to hold town halls, because I believe if you want to serve the public, you have to earn their trust, and that starts by showing up to explain your work.
Full Time | Rob Sand for Governor
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Full Time | Rob Sand for Governor
Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account? Log In Account processing issue - the email address may already exist User information Username (Optional) This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! * First name * Last name * Email Address Your email address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else.
Full Time | Rob Sand for Governor
Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account? Log In Account processing issue - the email address may already exist User information Username (Optional) This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! * First name * Last name * Email Address Your email address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else.
Reflections from A Year on the Campaign Trail
Today marks exactly one year(!) since I launched my campaign for governor. And what a year it’s been. Before I reflect back on the whirlwind of the last 365 days, let me first say: thank you. This campaign isn’t possible without your support, and I am energized everywhere I go by the Iowans who believe in making our state not redder or bluer, but better and truer. Over the last year, I’ve been all over the state, crisscrossing Iowa and meeting thousands of Iowans in their communities.
PIE shouldn’t cost Iowa taxpayers millions Original
Paying an out-of-state vendor millions of dollars to do what the State Auditor’s Office can do at a fraction of the cost — literally about five cents on the dollar — isn’t efficient: It’s a waste of your tax dollars. Iowans love pie — me included. My favorite is strawberry rhubarb. Local governments also love a different kind of PIE — that’s short for Public Innovations and Efficiencies.
PIE shouldn’t cost Iowa taxpayers millions
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PIE shouldn’t cost Iowa taxpayers millions
Paying an out-of-state vendor millions of dollars to do what the State Auditor’s Office can do at a fraction of the cost – literally about five cents on the dollar – isn’t efficient: It’s a waste of your tax dollars. Iowans love pie — me included. My favorite is strawberry rhubarb. kAm{@42= 8@G6C?>6?ED 2=D@ =@G6 2 5:776C6?E <:?5 @7 !xt – E92E’D D9@CE 7@C !F3=:4 x??@G2E:@?D 2?5 t77:4:6?4:6D] xE’D 2 AC@8C2> x =2F?4965 :? a_`h E92E 6?4@FC286D 4@F?E:6D[ 4:E:6D 2?5 D49@@= 5:DEC:4ED E@ FD6 :??@G2E:@?
Mandatory prison time for tax thieves
Strengthening Iowa’s Voice If you steal from taxpayers, you should go to prison. It’s as simple as that. But in Iowa, that’s not what happens. Public dollars meant for schools, roads, and public safety have been taken by people in positions of trust — sometimes tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. And too often, the people responsible walk away […]
Tax thieves should get mandatory prison time
State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed...
Mandatory prison time for tax thieves
If you steal from taxpayers, you should go to prison. It's as simple as that. But in Iowa, that's not what happens. Public dollars meant for schools, roads, and public safety have been taken by people in positions of trust — sometimes tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. And too often, the people responsible walk away with little more than a slap on the wrist. That's not justice. And it's not fair to the Iowans who play by the rules and pay their taxes.
POLITICAL VOICES: Enact mandatory prison for tax thieves
If you steal from taxpayers, you should go to prison. It’s as simple as that. But in Iowa, that’s not what happens. kAm!F3=:4 5@==2CD >62?E 7@C D49@@=D[ C@25D 2?5 AF3=:4 D276EJ 92G6 366? E2<6? 3J A6@A=6 :? A@D:E:@?D @7 ECFDE[ D@>6E:>6D E6?D @7 E9@FD2?5D @C 6G6? 9F?5C65D @7 E9@FD2?5D @7 5@==2CD] p?5 E@@ @7E6?[ E96 A6@A=6 C6DA@?D:3=6 H2=< 2H2J H:E9 =:EE=6 >@C6 E92? 2 D=2A @?
DEMOCRATS: Mandatory prison time for tax thieves
If you steal from taxpayers, you should go to prison. It’s as simple as that. kAmqFE :? x@H2[ E92E’D ?@E H92E 92AA6?D]k^Am kAm!F3=:4 5@==2CD >62?E 7@C D49@@=D[ C@25D[ 2?5 AF3=:4 D276EJ 92G6 366? E2<6? 3J A6@A=6 :? A@D:E:@?D @7 ECFDE — D@>6E:>6D E6?D @7 E9@FD2?5D @C 6G6? 9F?5C65D @7 E9@FD2?5D @7 5@==2CD] p?5 E@@ @7E6?[ E96 A6@A=6 C6DA@?D:3=6 H2=< 2H2J H:E9 =:EE=6 >@C6 E92? 2 D=2A @?
Mandatory Prison Time for Tax Thieves
If you steal from taxpayers, you should go to prison. It’s as simple as that. But in Iowa, that’s not what happens. Public dollars meant for schools, roads, and public safety have been taken by people in positions of trust — sometimes tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. And too often, the people responsible walk away with little more than a slap on the wrist. That’s not justice. And it’s not fair to the Iowans who play by the rules and pay their taxes.
We need mandatory prison time for Iowa's tax thieves
Political Voices Posted 4/14/26 If you steal from taxpayers, you should go to prison. It’s as simple as that. This item is available in full to subscribers. E-mail Password Print subscribers If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribers Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber. Local sports Forged through fire For this young North Scott girls’ soccer team, there was not much ‘get to know you’ time. More sports
Iowa taxpayers deserve transparency
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Rob Sand: Davenport taxpayers deserve transparency
Transparency isn’t just something I apply to my work as the state auditor – it’s part of my core. kAm|J 72:E9 :?DECF4ED >6 E@ =:G6 :? =:89Ej E@ 36 9@?6DE[ E@ =@@< 7@C E96 8@@5[ E@ 36 492C:E23=6[ E@ =625 H:E9 :?E68C:EJ] x E6249 >J 49:=5C6? E92E H96? E96J >2<6 2 >:DE2<6 — 3642FD6 H6 2== 5@ — @H? :E] %CJ:?8 E@ 4@G6C :E FA 4C62E6D >@C6 EC@F3=6]k^Am kAmpD DE2E6 2F5:E@C[ x’G6 DEC6DD65 EC2?DA2C6?4J 7@C x@H2 E2IA2J6CD 7C@> 52J @?6] x 42==65 @FE E96 #6J?@=5D 25>:?:DEC2E:@?
Rob Sand: Davenport taxpayers deserve transparency
Transparency isn’t just something I apply to my work as the state auditor – it’s part of my core. kAm|J 72:E9 :?DECF4ED >6 E@ =:G6 :? =:89Ej E@ 36 9@?6DE[ E@ =@@< 7@C E96 8@@5[ E@ 36 492C:E23=6[ E@ =625 H:E9 :?E68C:EJ] x E6249 >J 49:=5C6? E92E H96? E96J >2<6 2 >:DE2<6 — 3642FD6 H6 2== 5@ — @H? :E] %CJ:?8 E@ 4@G6C :E FA 4C62E6D >@C6 EC@F3=6]k^Am kAmpD DE2E6 2F5:E@C[ x’G6 DEC6DD65 EC2?DA2C6?4J 7@C x@H2 E2IA2J6CD 7C@> 52J @?6] x 42==65 @FE E96 #6J?@=5D 25>:?:DEC2E:@?
Davenport Tax-Payers Deserve Transparency: Rob Sand, Iowa State Auditor
DES MOINES, IOWA (April 8, 2026) — Transparency isn’t just something I apply to my work as the State Auditor — it’s part of my core. My faith instructs me to live in light; to be honest, to look for the good, to be charitable, to lead with integrity. I teach my children that when they make a mistake — because we all do — own it. Trying to cover it up creates more trouble. As State Auditor, I’ve stressed transparency for Iowa tax-payers from day one.
Davenport Tax-Payers Deserve Transparency: Rob Sand, Iowa State Auditor
The River Cities' Reader, started in 1993, is independently and locally owned. We publish a monthly printed tabloid size magazine, available for free throughout the Quad Cities at over 300 locations. The Reader provides keys to the Quad Cities' culture in print and online with exhaustive event calendars and coverage of arts, music, theatre, festivals, readings, lectures, meetings, exhibits, museums, dance, sports and classes for all ages.
The MCO Medicaid mess – why Iowans shouldn’t have to clean it up
There’s a saying in business: “Where there’s mystery, there’s margin,” meaning complexity, confusion and a lack of transparency create profit opportunities for those at the top. Sounds a lot like the privatization of Medicaid, and Iowa insiders’ plans to fund it. Medicaid alone is complex.
The MCO Medicaid mess – Why Iowans shouldn’t have to clean it up
There’s a saying in business: “Where there’s mystery, there’s margin,” meaning complexity, confusion, and a lack of transparency create profit opportunities for those at the top. Sounds a lot like the privatization of Medicaid, and Iowa insiders’ plans to fund it. Medicaid alone is complex.
The MCO Medicaid mess – Why Iowans shouldn’t have to clean it up
There’s a saying in business: “Where there’s mystery, there’s margin,” meaning complexity, confusion, and a lack of transparency create profit opportunities for those at the top. Sounds a lot like the privatization of Medicaid, and Iowa insiders’ plans to fund it. Medicaid alone is complex.
Iowans shouldn’t have to clean up a Medicaid mess
State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed...
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