State Auditor Rob Sand hasn’t made his 2026 plans official. But a text poll that was recently in the field is another data point suggesting he will run for governor.

A Bleeding Heartland reader provided screenshots of the survey. Many of the questions test messages about Sand without naming him. Other questions seek to gauge how strongly Iowa voters feel about a series of policies or issues affecting the state.

Based on the wording, I would guess that Sand’s campaign (which closed out 2024 with more than $7.5 million in the bank) commissioned the survey. It’s also possible some other entity supporting Sand’s aspirations invested in this research. It’s not clear how many Iowans received the poll or whether the survey sample reflected the partisan make-up of the statewide electorate, or was tailored for specific groups (such as independent or swing voters).

Assuming Sand runs for governor, he will be heavily favored to win the Democratic nomination. But he may have competition in the June 2026 primary: as I first reported on “KHOI’s Capitol Week,” Julie Stauch filed paperwork on April 21 to create a committee for a Democratic candidate for governor. Stauch has worked on many Iowa campaigns, including Dukakis for president in 1988 and U.S. Representative Leonard Boswell’s 2002 re-election bid. Most recently, she was political director for Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 Iowa caucus campaign, managed Mike Franken’s 2022 campaign for U.S. Senate, and advised Kimberly Sheets, who won a 2023 special election for Warren County auditor.

Back to the text poll about Sand, which appeared on research-opinions.com.

“WHICH ONE WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO HAVE IN YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR?”

The survey began with questions about the respondent’s voting history, plans to vote in 2026, and general political orientation. Respondents were asked whether they approved of a series of political figures, including President Donald Trump, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, and Sand.

The next set of questions paired phrases or descriptions and asked, “If you had to choose, which ONE would you MOST want to have in your next governor?”

• “Works across party lines” or “Works with both parties”
• “Independent-minded” or “Moderate” or “Middle-of-the-road”
• “Non-partisan” or “Bipartisan” or “Anti-partisan”

Next, respondents were asked, “Now you are going to read all of the qualities you just read once again. Which TWO qualities would you MOST want to have in your next governor?” I am listing the qualities in the order they appeared in the image shared with me. I don’t know whether my tipster’s answers to previous questions influenced the order, or whether the survey randomized the order.

• Independent-minded
• Works across party lines
• Moderate
• Non-partisan
• Middle-of-the-road
• Bipartisan
• Anti-partisan
• Works with both parties

Next, respondents were shown three “descriptions that may sound similar but have important differences. Which ONE would you MOST want to have in your next governor?” The possible answers were “A reformer,” “A public servant, not a politician,” and “An outsider, not an insider.”

The next two questions asked, “Which of the following candidates for governor would you be more likely to vote for if this were all you knew about them?” Respondents were asked to choose between two pairs of statements.

• “A candidate who cares about people like you” or “A candidate who shares your values”
• “A candidate who will take Iowa in a new direction” or “A candidate who will continue Kim Reynolds’ legacy”

RATING ROB SAND’S TRAITS OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The next set of questions sought to tease out which positive messages about Sand (without using his name) would make voters more likely to support him for governor.

One set of statements described Sand’s actions or accomplishments as state auditor. He routinely cites most of these during his town halls and other public appearances. (For example, watch The Sanborn Pioneer’s YouTube video showing his remarks to a conservative group in O’Brien County in early April.)

For each statement, respondents were asked to check “Much more likely,” “Somewhat more likely,” “No difference,” “Somewhat less likely,” or “Much less likely.”

• Uncovered a record amount of misspent government money in his first term as Auditor
• Reformed his government office to allow state employees to live in small towns and rural areas far from Des Moines
• Started a government efficiency program so effective at saving tax dollars that it was copied in other states
• Was the only elected official in Iowa to oppose using tax dollars to settle sexual harassment suits against government insiders
• As a prosecutor, locked up violent criminals, lottery scammers, abusers of the film tax credit program, and public officials of both parties who stole public dollars
• Promoted his government staff members to senior positions, even after they gave campaign contributions to his opponent

Next, the text poll offered a list of characteristics and asked “if you would be more or less likely to vote for a candidate who does each, or if it would make no difference in your vote for governor.”

• Will place Democrats, independents, and Republicans in his office leadership
• Stands up to leaders of both parties to do what’s right for Iowa
• Criticizes his own party on a regular basis
• Knows government isn’t about Right versus Left, it’s about right versus wrong

The next questions described things Sand does—again, without using his name. For each, respondents were asked to check one of five options, indicating “if you would be more or less likely to vote for a candidate who does each, or if it would make no difference in your vote for governor.”

• Goes to church every Sunday
• Owns several guns
• Drives a truck
• Loves to fish and hunt
• Is married with kids
• Born and raised in a small town in rural Iowa

MEASURING THE SALIENCE OF POLICIES AND ISSUES

The next part of the text poll asked about 21 issues or policies that could come up in the next campaign. Under each one, respondents could check whether that statement would affect their vote for governor (“Much more likely,” “Somewhat more likely,” “No difference,” “Somewhat less likely,” or “Much less likely”).

I am listing these in the order they appeared on the images shared with me. I don’t know whether the survey randomized the options or presented them in this order for all respondents.

• Ending the school voucher program that uses tax dollars to fund private school tuition for anyone, even the wealthiest households
• Ensuring clean drinking water in Iowa communities and replacing lead pipes
• Restoring the State Auditor’s power to review government records with private and personal information to find waste, fraud, and abuse
• Reducing rising cancer rates in Iowa
• Ensuring our law enforcement has the resources they need to keep our communities safe
• Lowering the cost of prescription drugs
• Making Iowa government more transparent to voters and taxpayers
• Holding chemical companies accountable for pesticides that make Iowans sick
• Instituting term limits for Iowa politicians
• Protecting and creating jobs
• Supporting LEGAL immigration, not wide-open borders
• Protecting our fundamental rights and freedoms
• Cutting taxes for middle- and working-class families
• Keeping rural hospitals open and expanding access to affordable health care in underserved areas
• Ending Iowa’s two-party system and giving voters more choices at the ballot box
• Standing up to special interests
• Allowing independent voters to participate in the primary to ensure they have equal voting rights
• Protecting what’s great about rural Iowa, not just focusing on big cities like Des Moines
• Opposing using eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines
• Providing incentives for small businesses to help Iowa’s local economy
• Lowering costs for Iowans

A few questions about demographics and political leanings closed out the survey. Those responses help campaigns analyze the data collected.

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Greg Hauenstein took the top photo of State Auditor Rob Sand at the Iowa Democratic Party’s Liberty and Justice Celebration on July 27, 2024. Find more of Greg’s political photography at the Midwest Visual Press Agency.