Rob Sand and Zach Lahn, the two nominees for the Iowa governor race, each spoke at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair over the weekend.
Republican Zach Lahn is a businessman from Belle Plaine, and brought his “Iowa First” message. Lahn plans to stick with the same issues that helped him win the primary election.
“That means we should have good schools. That we should have clean water, a good fair judicial system. That's what our campaign's been about this entire time. And in the primary election, people saw that. They understood. That's what we were fighting for,” he said.
Lahn said his priorities also include keeping young people in Iowa, protecting family farms, strengthening public education and addressing cancer rates.
Lahn took aim at Sand’s campaign finances, criticizing the millions of dollars his opponent has received from family members. He also challenged Sand to long-form, Lincoln-Douglas-style debates without a moderator.
At his Soapbox appearance, Sand said Iowa needs a change in leadership after a decade of Republican control at the Statehouse.
Sand said he first registered as an independent and believes one-party control at the Statehouse has hurt Iowans. He also says Iowa needs to improve water quality and education and better manage the state budget.
Sand holds the Secretary of State position and is Iowa’s only Democrat currently elected to statewide office. He pointed to his record as a state prosecutor.
“I've been pissing off powerful people in both parties on your behalf as your state auditor. I'd like to keep doing it as your governor," he said.
Sand says state leaders should focus more on people than political parties and work together to solve problems.
He acknowledges that some of his positions have upset members of his own party, while adding that elected officials should tell people what they believe rather than what voters want to hear.
