Iowa Governor Voter Guide: Sand and Lahn on Public Schools and Taxes
Two candidates are on the ballot for governor of Iowa on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026: Republican Zach Lahn and Democrat Rob Sand. The seat is open because Gov. Kim Reynolds is not seeking reelection, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported.
The Digital Free Press voter guide video compares the two side by side on public schools and taxes. Here is where each one stands, based on the video, the candidates' own words and Iowa reporting.
Zach Lahn (Republican)
Lahn is a businessman who owns a farm in Belle Plaine, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. His campaign describes him as a sixth-generation Iowan, farmer and pilot.
On public schools, the video says Lahn defends state-funded private school savings accounts and says schools need a plan for results, not just more money. Iowa Public Radio reports he supports the education savings accounts, which helped more than 41,000 Iowans pay private school tuition last school year, and wants a third-party review of how the money is spent. In an October debate, he proposed letting the State Board of Education create "innovation zones" so public schools can try new teaching models, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported.
On taxes and the budget, the video says Lahn wants to end property taxes on primary residence single-family homes and find waste in government spending. He has called for eliminating the state income tax and, over the long term, property taxes on primary single-family homes, and has said he would look for spending inefficiencies to offset the lost revenue, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Rob Sand (Democrat)
Sand is the Iowa state auditor, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. His campaign calls him a "public servant, not a politician."
On public schools, the video says Sand wants a 5% state aid increase for public schools in year one and income limits on private school savings accounts. In the October debate he repeated his pledge of a 5% State Supplemental Aid increase in his first year, while saying he "can't promise that in year two." Iowa Public Radio reports he wants income limits on the savings accounts and says private schools that take public money should accept anyone who applies. "I want public oversight of public money — period," Sand said.
On taxes and the budget, the video says Sand proposes ending data center tax breaks and taxing recreational cannabis, citing a state budget gap. In the debate he said that by "taking away tax deals for data centers" and legalizing cannabis and treating it like alcohol, the state could raise about $50 million in the first year and more than $100 million after that. State revenues are projected to fall 9.3% from fiscal 2025 to 2026, the Capital Dispatch reported.
Where to Follow the Candidates
Zach Lahn: @ZachLahn on X and @zachlahn on TikTok. Rob Sand: @robsandia on X and @robsandiowa on TikTok.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. This guide is for information only; The Digital Free Press does not endorse any candidate.
Yossi Schmidt, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Digital Free Press
Hold Everyone Accountable.
Sources: Iowa Capital Dispatch, "Sand, Lahn debate plans to tackle state budget shortfall while funding schools" (Oct. 14, 2026): https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/10/14/sand-lahn-debate-plans-to-tackle-state-budget-shortfall-while-funding-schools/ ; Iowa Public Radio, "Iowa's candidates for governor split over education savings accounts" (Oct. 9, 2026): https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2026-10-09/iowas-candidates-for-governor-split-over-education-savings-accounts ; Iowa Capital Dispatch, Voter Guide: 2026 Iowa general election: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/voter-guides/2026-iowa-general-election/ ; Zach Lahn campaign, About: https://zachlahn.com/about/ ; Rob Sand campaign: https://robsand.com/
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