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This Poll Should TERRIFY Iowa Republicans

2026-07-03 News & Politics
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The Bulwark
The Bulwark
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Description

Sarah Longwell and Andrew Egger give their takes on the surprisingly competitive political race in Iowa, where Democratic nominee Rob Sand is trying to build a new kind of populist message: less culture-war confrontation, more competence, accountability, and structural reform. Andrew went to Iowa to attend Sand’s campaign events in rural Iowa, where Rob is blending local concerns like affordability, school funding, abortion restrictions, and agricultural policy into a broader pitch against one-party Republican control. Despite Iowa’s recent GOP dominance, new polling suggests a closer-than-expected race, raising questions about whether Sand’s “nonpartisan populism” can break through in a state that has been trending right for years. Read more from Andrew's reporting: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/iowa-rob-sand-democratic-governor-nominee-campaign-report-auditor-populism Become a Bulwark Youtube Plus Member here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4Hp1KbGw4e02N7FpPXDgQ/join

Top Comments (10)

@Sammerel 2026-07-03

Born and raised in Iowa. Never underestimate the ability of Iowans to re-elect chuck grassley over and over and over and over and over and over and.. no fixing stupid.

177 34 replies
@NoSacredCowFla 2026-07-03

For profit primary education should be illegal.

153 31 replies
@abbie10001 2026-07-03

Reynold’s also took away his ability as the state auditor to actually audit the government programs… now they’re out there trying to use that against him. I’m an Iowan and everyone I know is pretty excited about Sand. We’re just sick of the republican shenanigans.

148 11 replies
@ThomPersson 2026-07-03

Democrats need to go stronger against privatization, truly the biggest drain on public funds, public lands and the public good.

140 8 replies
@philipleidigh3828 2026-07-03

Im campaigning for Rob Sand, we need change in Iowa.Go Rob

123 5 replies
@mattwatters 2026-07-03

I live in Iowa and can't wait to vote for Governor Sand!

120 3 replies
@JaymeeKay 2026-07-03

I'm from Iowa and I'll be door knocking on Sunday! Whoop, whoop. Go vote! I love you both even more now. 😂

101 3 replies
@billyt7081 2026-07-03

I have admired Rob Sand since I saw his interview with Tommy Vietor (Pod Save America) on December 2, 2025. His message about attacking political corruption, and how the political parties divide us so they can conquer, and steal from us, should resonate with all Americans. If there were more people like Rob Sand as Governors, Senators and Congressmen, America would be in much better shape.

84 4 replies
@vorkosigrrl6047 2026-07-03

Fairfield, IA here. I saw Sand speak in our town near the beginning of his campaign, and Andrew isn’t the only person who got choked up at America the Beautiful. Even though I consider myself somewhat cynical, it’s actually a beautiful idea and a beautiful moment. I think of Sand as very centrist, and even though I lean more progressive myself, that’s likely the only type of Democrat that can win in Iowa at this point in time. I have a feeling he’ll win. I sure hope Turek makes it, too! When I moved here 13 years ago, we had Senator Harkin. We had a Democratic governor with Vilsack until 2007, and the state went for Obama twice. It’s been blood red for too long. I sure hope we at least get to purple in November.

49
@MustKeepOurDemocracy 2026-07-03

Here in Iowa the republicans feel so entitled they are running a nominee who lives in KANSAS!!!

25 3 replies

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