A poll in the field this week is testing dozens of messages about the two Democrats running for governor, State Auditor Rob Sand and Julie Stauch, who has worked for many Democratic campaigns and nonprofit organizations.
The survey appears designed to identify Sand’s weaknesses and the strongest arguments a competitor could make before the June 2 Democratic primary. Several questions highlight how Sand has distanced himself from his party or failed to take a stand on issues that matter to many Democratic voters.
A spokesperson for Sand’s campaign confirmed they did not commission the poll but declined further comment. Stauch declined to comment for the record.
Some other entity may have paid for the survey—perhaps a Democratic-aligned group or large donor considering spending to support Sand or Stauch for governor. It’s also possible a Republican-aligned group is thinking about meddling in the Democratic primary to weaken the likely nominee. (The Downballot reported on January 29 that “a prominent GOP consulting firm is financing an obscure group that’s run digital ads and sent out mailers” in support of a Democratic candidate for an upcoming special election in Michigan.)
Sand is the overwhelming favorite to win the nomination, with higher name ID, statewide election victories in 2018 and 2022, and more than $13.2 million cash on hand as of December 31, compared to around $12,000 in Stauch’s campaign account. Even so, a strong primary challenge could weaken the front-runner, by forcing his campaign to spend more before the general election period, or by exposing how he has alienated part of the base he would need to win in November.
I was a respondent on the text version of the poll on January 26. I don’t know whether some Iowa Democrats are being surveyed by phone or whether this poll is being conducted entirely by text. I enclose below the full questionnaire that I received, verbatim, with some explanations in square brackets, marked as editor’s notes.
The poll says at the end, “some respondents saw a different set of questions, and in a different order, than the questions you saw.” Please reach out to me confidentially if you received a different version of this survey.
Remember: although you may find it upsetting to see or hear negative messages about Democratic candidates, it’s better not to click away or hang up. Take screenshots or detailed notes, or record the phone call, and share the questionnaire with me. (I won’t publish your name.)
Thank you for your interest in our survey for Iowans! Your responses will be used for research purposes only. First, let’s start with some information about you…
1. Are you:
- A man
- A woman
- Neither of these
2. How old are you?
- Under 35
- 35 to 49
- 50 to 64
- 65+
3. Please enter the 5-digit zip code where you live.
4. Which of the following best describes your race/ethnicity?
- White/Caucasian
- Hispanic or Latino/a
- Black or African American
- Asian/Pacific Islander
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Other (please specify)
5. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
- High school diploma or less
- Some college, but no degree
- Associate’s degree, or two-year college degree
- Bachelor’s degree, or four-year college degree
- Graduate degree
6. Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a:
- Strong Democrat
- Not-so-strong Democrat
- Independent, lean Democrat
- Independent, no lean
- Independent, lean Republican
- Not-so-strong Republican
- Strong Republican
7. Moving on, in June 2026 there will be primary elections for federal, state, and local offices in Iowa. Many people don’t vote in elections like these and wait until the general election in the fall. Do you plan to vote in the June Democratic primary election?
- Yes, definitely
- Yes, probably
- Maybe (50-50)
- No, probably not
- No, definitely not
8. How favorable are your feelings about each of the following public figures and groups? [options given for all were Very favorable, Somewhat favorable, Neutral, Somewhat unfavorable, Very unfavorable, or Never heard of them]
Iowa Hospital Association
Iowa Nurses Association (the nurses union)
The Iowa community college nearest you
Julie Stauch
Kim Reynolds
Planned Parenthood [Editor’s note: Stauch worked for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland in senior roles for more than four years]
Rob Sand
Iowa Teachers Association (the teachers union)
Iowa Farm Bureau
Iowa Environmental Council
SEIU (the service employees union)
Sierra Club
Pete Buttigieg [Editor’s note: Stauch was political director for Buttigieg’s 2020 Iowa caucus campaign; in May 2025 he endorsed Sand for governor]
Iowa Democratic Party
9. If the Democratic primary election for U.S. Senate were held today, and the candidates were the following, who would you vote for?
- Chris Henry [Editor’s note: I don’t know of any candidate by that name]
- Nathan Sage
- Josh Turek
- Zach Wahls
- Not sure
10. If the Democratic primary election for Iowa Governor were held today, and the candidates were the following, who would you vote for?
- Definitely Rob Sand
- Lean toward Rob Sand
- Lean toward Julie Stauch
- Definitely Julie Stauch
- Not sure
11. Which of the following comes closest to your view?
- Democratic primary elections are healthy for the party. They surface ideas, test candidates, energize voters, and ultimately produce a stronger nominee.
- Democratic primary elections are unhealthy for the party. They drain resources, create intraparty divisions, and ultimately weaken the eventual nominee.
- Not sure
12. What are the top two or three priorities or characteristics that will determine who you will vote for in the Democratic primary for Iowa Governor? [open-ended question with a box for respondents to type an answer]
13. How appealing to you are the following descriptions of Democratic candidates for Iowa Governor? [options for all were Very appealing, Somewhat appealing, Not appealing]
Stands up for what they believe is right, even if it goes against the will of Iowa Democrats
Will fight to dismantle Iowa’s voucher system—Education Savings Accounts—that is siphoning money away from our K-12 public schools
Stands up for what they believe is right, even if it means they won’t get as many votes from MAGA Republicans in a general election
A proven champion for reproductive freedom who will fight to overturn Iowa’s extreme abortion ban
Will work with Republicans in the state legislature to get things done
Will fight to make it illegal for ICE agents to wear masks and other face coverings in Iowa
Has a proven history of bringing people together to find practical solutions to problems like Iowa’s water quality, healthcare access, and public school funding
Travels the state [to] speak directly with voters about their concerns and priorities
Can win against a Republican
Will fight to repeal Iowa’s flat tax and restore a fairer system in which lower-income Iowans pay a lower rate than higher-income Iowans
14. When you think about Rob Sand as a candidate for governor, what—if anything—gives you pause or makes you hesitate? [open-ended question with a box for respondents to type an answer]
15. Are your hesitations:
- Dealbreakers; I’ll probably vote for someone else in the primary election
- Demotivating; It won’t change how I vote in the primary election, but I’m less excited to vote
- Just something I’ve noticed; it doesn’t change how I’ll vote in the primary election, or how excited I am about voting
- I have no hesitations
16. How well do you feel Rob Sand represents the values of today’s Democratic Party in Iowa? [open-ended question with a box for respondents to type an answer]
17. Rob Sand is:
- Very aligned with Democratic voters in Iowa
- Somewhat aligned with Democratic voters in Iowa
- Somewhat misaligned with Democratic voters in Iowa
- Very misaligned with Democratic voters in Iowa
- Not sure
18. Imagine there’s another Democrat in the primary who excites you more than Rob Sand. What would that person be offering that he isn’t? Would you be open to voting for that candidate? [open-ended question with a box for respondents to type an answer]
Please read the following statements about two Democratic candidates for Iowa Governor. How convincing do you find each description as a reason to vote for that candidate?
Rob Sand is the Democratic State Auditor of Iowa. A lifelong Iowan and former prosecutor, he spent his career holding powerful interests accountable and protecting taxpayers, rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in state government no matter which party is in charge. As auditor, he has been a consistent, independent voice for transparency, fairness, and integrity. Sand is a proven statewide winner who believes Iowa works best when leaders put people ahead of politics, and he is committed to standing up for Democratic values while restoring trust in government.
[poll included this photo of Sand]
19. How convincing is this as a reason to vote for Rob Sand in the Democratic primary for Iowa Governor?
- Very convincing
- Somewhat convincing
- Not too convincing
Julie Stauch is a 5th-generation Iowan, small business owner, and professional problem solver. With experience as an educator, reproductive healthcare advocate and grassroots organizer, Stauch has focused on rebuilding Democratic infrastructure and strengthening local parties across the state. She believes progress comes from listening, collaboration, and getting practical results for working families. In a time of deep polarization, Stauch is focused on solutions, accountability, and making government work better for Iowans.
[poll included this photo of Stauch]
20. How convincing is this as a reason to vote for Julie Stauch in the Democratic primary for Iowa Governor?
- Very convincing
- Somewhat convincing
- Not too convincing
21. Now that you’ve read more, if the Democratic primary election for Iowa Governor were held today, and the candidates were the following, who would you vote for?
- Definitely Rob Sand
- Lean toward Rob Sand
- Lean toward Julie Stauch
- Definitely Julie Stauch
- Not sure
Here is what some Democrats in Iowa are saying about Rob Sand. How concerning is each statement?
[options for all were Very concerning, Somewhat concerning, Not too concerning, or Not at all concerning]
22. Rob Sand is a Democrat in name only. He distances himself from core Democratic stances like women’s health, environmental regulation, and civil rights in order to appeal to moderates and Republicans. He calls this avoiding partisan “drama,” but what he’s really avoiding is taking a clear stand on these important issues. Is this:
23. Rob Sand is not the champion Iowa’s public schools deserve. He has failed to take a firm, values-based stand against Iowa’s school voucher (ESA) program. He makes statements about oversight and accountability, but stops short of clearly opposing the siphoning of public dollars away from our public schools and funneling those dollars to private schools.
24. Rob Sand is running as a Democrat, but he has repeatedly insulted our party, calling it “poison” just the same as the Republican party. He has held statewide office for 6 years as a Democrat. During this time he could have been helping to rebuild and reshape the Democratic brand in Iowa, but instead he chose to distance himself from our party. That’s not leadership. Is this:
25. Rob Sand is in the pocket of Big Agriculture, including his in-laws who own a large agribusiness and donated millions to his campaign. He gladly accepts these and other Big Ag donations, then ignores industrial agriculture’s role in polluting Iowa’s water and soil. Where’s his detailed plan to address Iowa’s water quality? He doesn’t have one. And if Big Ag can buy his favor, who else can? Is this:
Here is what some Democrats in Iowa are saying about Julie Stauch. How persuasive is each of the following reasons to vote for Julie Stauch in the Democratic primary election for Iowa Governor?
[options for all were Very persuasive, Somewhat persuasive, Not too persuasive, or Not persuasive at all]
26. Julie Stauch’s resumé speaks for itself. As an educator, the former Chief Public Affairs Officer with Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, and a grassroots organizer, Julie is an authentic Democrat whose lifelong commitment to Democratic values and standing up for public schools, women, and working people reflects who she truly is, not just what she says on the campaign trail. Is this:
27. Julie Stauch is the candidate in this race committed to solving Iowa’s water and soil pollution problem stemming from industrial livestock facilities. This is not a partisan issue, it’s a public health crisis. Establishing and enforcing common-sense solutions will help protect Iowans’ health, as well as help level the playing field between small family farms and industrial farms. Is this:
28. The role of Governor is a job that requires a unique set of skills and strengths. Instead of traditional campaign tactics that rely on stump speeches and predetermined talking points, Julie Stauch has been traveling the state hosting “interview sessions” in which voters—the “employers”—can interview her for the job of governor. Is this:
29. Julie Stauch is a fresh face as a candidate, but she’s no stranger to winning tough elections. She has worked on several high-level campaigns here in Iowa and at the presidential level, including her role as the strategist behind Pete Buttigieg’s success in the 2020 Iowa Caucus. Winning statewide is a challenge, but Julie has the strategic expertise to make it happen. Is this:
30. As a professional problem-solver, Julie Stauch knows that you have to first talk to the people with first-hand experience of a problem in order to solve it. Julie is known for her strength as a listener, taking time to hear Iowans’ experiences and concerns firsthand and using what she learns to face thoughtful, inclusive solutions. Is this:
31. Under Kim Reynolds’s leadership, Iowans’ cancer rates have skyrocketed, our state economy is flagging, and our school rankings have declined. As governor, Julie Stauch pledges to reverse the damage Reynolds has done and put Iowa back on track. These are not partisan issues—they’re problems that Reynolds caused and that need to be remedied on behalf of all Iowans. Is this:
32. Once again, now that you’ve read more, if the Democratic primary election for Iowa Governor were held today, and the candidates were the following, who would you vote for?
- Definitely Rob Sand
- Lean toward Rob Sand
- Lean toward Julie Stauch
- Definitely Julie Stauch
- Not sure
33. This is the end of the survey. We very much appreciate you taking the time to respond!
Please note that some respondents saw a different set of questions, and in a different order, than the questions you saw. Knowing this, is there anything else you want to tell us that we didn’t ask you about? [box for people to type response]
Thank you very much for your time, and have a great day!
Top image of Rob Sand comes from an interview Laura Belin recorded outside the Manning Regional Healthcare Center on July 5, 2025. Top image of Julie Stauch comes from an interview Laura Belin recorded at the Ames Public Library on August 21, 2025.