The Iowa race for governor has become the most expensive in state history, with Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn raising a combined $81 million for the campaign.
Sand has raised about $54 million while Lahn has raised about $27 million, according to campaign finance reports reviewed by Newsweek. The most recent filings, made Monday, cover July 15 to October 14. During that period, Lahn raised $16.9 million and Sand $16.3 million.
Iowa’s 2018 race for governor had previously been the state’s most expensive, with Democrat Fred Hubbell and Republican Kim Reynolds raising a combined $36 million.
Democrats are seeking a return to the governor's mansion for the first time since 2011 as Sand has run a campaign targets moderates, independents and disaffected Republicans. The party is also hoping to flip the state's Senate seat and is targeting several House seats as it looks to take control of both chambers of Congress. Republicans have poured significant resources into Iowa in an attempt to retain the governor's mansion and the Senate seat.
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The record spending in Iowa’s governor race extends beyond just state money, as national political organizations have poured millions into both candidates. The Republican Governors Association’s Right Direction PAC contributed $11.8 million to Lahn in the latest reporting period alone, while the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) gave Sand $5.5 million.
DGA Director Sam Newton told Newsweek that it was financially backing Sand because it believes “Iowans are ready for change, and this is a top flip opportunity…after 10 years of one-party rule.”
Newsweek contacted both campaigns, the Republican Governors Association’s Right Direction PAC and the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board via email on Wednesday for comment.
Election Day is November 3.
Who Is Funding Rob Sand?
Sand has been raising money for his campaign since January 2024, before he officially announced his run in May 2025. He raised $8.6 million in 2024, mostly from his family.
His wife, Christine L. Sand, contributed at least $1.9 million, his father-in-law, Nixon Lauridsen, $2 million and his mother-in-law, $2 million, according to 2024 disclosures for the Rob Sand for Iowa campaign.
The DGA, a national organization dedicated to electing and supporting Democratic governors, has contributed $8 million to Sand’s campaign—all this year.
Newton told Newsweek that the DGA is “proud to be all-in for State Auditor Rob Sand, who has always been an independent thinker and is running to make life better for Iowans by tackling corruption, lowering costs and taking on the state's cancer crisis.”
“National Republicans are spending tens of millions of dollars to continue the failed status quo with career political operative and Kansas carpetbagger Zach Lahn,” Newton added.
The DGA is led by Democratic governors Andy Beshear (Kentucky), Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan), Gavin Newsom (California) and Maura Healey (Massachusetts). Its donors include American Opportunity Action, an advocacy group focused on policies affecting women and families, America Works USA, a nonprofit promoting progressive policies, and Deborah Simon, a philanthropist and daughter of the late shopping mall developer Mel Simon, according to IRS disclosures compiled by ProPublica.
Who Is Funding Zach Lahn?
Lahn contributed $2.5 million in loans to his own campaign—$2 million in December 2025 and $500,000 in May this year, disclosures for the Lahn for Governor campaign show.
Several of his family members, including his sister, mother and cousin, also made contributions, but they were minor compared to Sand’s family donations.
The largest contributor has been RGA Right Direction PAC, affiliated with the Republican Governors Association, which supports Republican gubernatorial candidates. The PAC has contributed a total of $16.8 million, around 69 percent of Lahn’s cash contributions, excluding his loans.
The Republican Party of Iowa contributed another $1.72 million during the latest reporting period, and the MAHA Action PAC gave $1 million on September 16.
Significant individual donors include Jana Scharnberg, who contributed a total of $550,000, with $250,000 on May 4 and $300,000 on June 1. Scharnberg, is the general manager of the Iowa United Basketball team. She is also the daughter-in-law of the late Lorne Scharnberg, founder of the medical manufacturer Katecho.
Philanthropist Patricia Tippie, widow of businessman Henry Tippie, is another significant donor, giving $150,000 on January 21 and another $150,000 on June 24. James McIngvale, the Houston furniture retailer known as “Mattress Mack” and founder of Gallery Furniture, contributed $100,000 on March 6 and $150,000 on May 29. Jeff Yass, the billionaire co-founder of trading firm Susquehanna International Group, gave $200,000 on October 1.
Rob Sand vs. Zach Lahn: Latest Polls in Iowa Governor's Race
In a Marist poll taken from October 8 to October 11, 52 percent of 1,100 Iowa registered voters surveyed said they backed Sand, while 45 percent supported Lahn. The poll reports a margin of error of plus or minus 6.6 percentage points.
Both Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball rate the race as "leans Democrat."
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Rebecca Flood and Dave Siminoff.