Democratic governor candidate Rob Sand is launching his first round of TV ads across the state with an opening message focused on accountability for those who misuse tax dollars.
The 30-second ad is part of a six-figure ad buy across TV, streaming and digital, his campaign told the Des Moines Register.
“Call me old-fashioned, I’d say stealing is bad,” Sand says in the spot, speaking to the camera. “That’s why I locked up corrupt public officials as a prosecutor. And as state auditor, I uncovered record amounts of misspent tax dollars. Insiders didn’t like that. So they changed the law to make it harder for me to find your misspent tax money. That’s bad, too. As governor, I’ll make jail time mandatory for public officials who misuse your tax dollars. Because stealing is still bad. And stealing taxpayers should be unacceptable.”
In a statement, Sand said he’s running to “bring an end to the decade of one-party rule and sweetheart deals for insiders that have left Iowa families behind.”
“Our elected officials are focused on all the wrong things — like culture wars and gutting the Auditor’s Office,” he said. “As Iowa’s next governor, I’ll get back to the basics and make sure Iowans — not insiders, special interest groups, or corrupt politicians — come first.”
The ads are scheduled to begin airing April 21, Sand’s campaign said.
In his January financial disclosure forms, Sand reported raising about $18 million this cycle. That gives him ample resources to draw from as he seeks to introduce himself to voters and draw distinctions with the Republican field through a statewide media campaign.
The public rollout comes after Sand unveiled his “Accountability for All” agenda, which includes jail time for those convicted of stealing tax dollars, as well as mandatory term limits and age restrictions for public officials.
Sand calls that agenda a “commonsense” platform that should appeal to people across the political spectrum, although some of Iowa’s Republican leaders have taken issue with his plan to restructure the state’s elections systems.
The ad rollout also comes amid a surge of state and national interest in the race as nonpartisan analysts at the Cook Political Report reclassified it as a “toss-up” contest.
“Even if Sand pitches a perfect game, there’s no guarantee he can pull off an upset in a state that has become decidedly Republican,” wrote Matthew Klein, an analyst who focuses on gubernatorial contests. “But everything that can go right for Democrats has so far, giving the party a real shot at winning the governorship for the first time since 2006.”
GOP candidates Feenstra, Lahn previously launched paid TV ads
Of the five Republican gubernatorial candidates vying for their party’s nomination in a June 2 primary, two have launched television ads.
Businessman Zach Lahn’s campaign announced in April he would air six-figures worth of ads focused on the importance of protecting Iowa ownership of farmland. Lahn’s campaign said the buy would be the “first phase of a significant media investment.”
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra announced in March that his campaign would spend seven figures on a major ad blitz in the race. That follows a $400,000 ad buy last year as he launched a gubernatorial exploratory committee.
Those ads have highlighted Feenstra’s connection to Republican President Donald Trump, cutting taxes and combatting illegal immigration.
It’s unclear whether the three remaining GOP candidates will have the financial resources necessary to run paid advertising.
Adam Steen ended the year with about $336,000 in cash on hand; Brad Sherman had about $85,000; and Eddie Andrews tallied just $5,000.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She writes about campaigns, elections and the Iowa Caucuses. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Sand rolls out first TV ad as analysts call governor’s race a toss-up
Reporting by Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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