DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Rob Sand is set to rally supporters for the first time as the official Democratic nominee for Iowa governor this Sunday. The event will mark the beginning of a countdown to the November elections, where he will be supported by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. The upcoming gubernatorial race between Sand and Republican candidate Zach Lahn is anticipated to be one of the most competitive in the United States. Iowa is currently grappling with a state budget deficit, a struggling agricultural economy, and a cancer crisis, making this election critical for many residents.

While Sand aims to downplay party politics, the Democratic Party is placing its confidence in him to pave the way for future successes after recent electoral struggles in the state. Beshear, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association and is viewed as a potential presidential candidate for 2028, stated, "We are all in on flipping Iowa. It's certainly time for a change, and I think the people of Iowa know that Rob Sand will always put them first."

Rob Sand emerged from an unopposed primary to face Lahn, who after winning a five-way Republican showdown, has drawn attention with his criticisms of farm consolidation and corporate tax breaks. Lahn, known as a regenerative farmer and a former political operative, resonates with Iowa's conservative grassroots and aligns himself with the “Make America Healthy Again” movement led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

This election cycle is particularly significant as Iowa sees open races for both governor and U.S. Senate for the first time since 1968, alongside three pivotal congressional races. Recently, national figures such as former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have visited Iowa, escalating attention toward its political landscape.

Despite a significant 200,000-person deficit in statewide voter registration and being outnumbered in every House district, Democrats are optimistic. Sand and his Senate candidate colleague, Josh Turek, are working to capture the support of independents and disenchanted Republicans, blaming the current Republican trifecta in Washington and Des Moines for the state's ongoing challenges.

Turek is set to compete against U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who attempts to frame him as a liberal aligned with party leader Sen. Chuck Schumer. Lahn, on the other hand, has openly criticized Sand's nonpartisan approach, dismissing it by stating, "Rob Sand is not a moderate. He’s a liberal career politician pretending to be someone he’s not."

Sand's campaign emphasizes his desire for a balanced government in Iowa and a rejection of partisanship. He expresses concern that simply swapping party control after a decade may not yield the necessary changes. In a statement made after casting his primary ballot, Sand noted, "I’m not here to tell you that the answer to 10 years of one-party control is to give the other party 10 years of one-party control. But I do think that it’s time to say enough to the people who have had 10 years of one-party control."

In marketing efforts, both Sand and Lahn chose to utilize green rather than their party’s traditional blue or red colors, indicating their attempts to be seen as independent candidates. Sand has also invested approximately $750,000 in the Iowa Democratic Party this election cycle, which has drawn criticism from Republicans who argue it contradicts his anti-establishment claims. However, his campaign defends the expense as supporting a coordinated effort to secure his election while simultaneously aiding candidates down the ballot.

As the Democratic party reflects on past electoral setbacks and deliberates its future strategy, Beshear has become a significant figure. He aims to serve as a stabilizing force amid the uncertainty of Trump-era politics while positioning himself as a prospective presidential candidate. Along with supporting Sand at the rally, Beshear will also participate in a fundraiser for congressional candidate Sarah Trone Garriott and engage with Turek.

The Democratic Governors Association, under Beshear's leadership, has also contributed approximately $140,000 to the Iowa Democratic Party this cycle, reinforcing its commitment to support candidates in pivotal races across the state.