Rob Sand Triumphs Over Zach Lahn: Republicans’ Disastrous Energy Policy Cost Them Election

DES MOINES, IA — Tonight, Democrat Rob Sand defeated Republican Zach Lahn in a historic victory for the people of Iowa. By electing Sand governor, Iowans made their disapproval of Republicans’ energy and environmental policies known. That includes the war in Iran driving up gas and diesel prices, clean energy cuts and unchecked data centers that increased utility bills, and a water quality crisis state leaders have ignored for years. A CNN poll shows 74% of likely Iowa voters surveyed say Trump administration policies have increased the cost of living, with 70% saying current gas prices are a moderate to severe hardship and 55% saying tariffs are a bad thing for Iowa.

Time and time again, Republicans blocked the path to cheaper, faster, cleaner energy and clean water. Now Iowa families are paying for it four times over: at the pump, on their utility bills, through the data centers polluting their communities, and in the water coming out of their taps. Sand ran on a different vision. He wants to protect Iowa’s position as a national leader in wind energy, continue to invest in expanding solar, put guardrails on polluting data centers that raise utility bills, and cap the utility fees that drive up Iowans’ bills.

“I’m a big believer in renewables,” Sand said in a town hall. “This is Iowa energy that we can have right here from our own environment that creates good-paying Iowa jobs and helps lower your property taxes all at the same time… You’re going to find in me a governor that wants us to make sure that we keep our strong position in renewable energy.”

This election was also a referendum on Iowa’s water. With nitrate pollution in rivers and drinking water and one of the highest cancer rates in the nation, clean water became a central issue in the race.

“I’m the only candidate in this race with a specific plan to address our water quality issue,” Sand said on X, “including investing in water quality monitoring, implementing a dirty water notification system, strengthening efforts to reduce nitrate pollution, and making the biggest investment in wetlands and grazing land in state history.”

“Iowans wanted a governor who puts them first, and that’s why they elected Rob Sand,” said Climate Power’s Western Hub Senior Director Tiffany Hsieh. “Zach Lahn and his fellow Republicans rubber-stamped Trump’s agenda, stood by while utility bills climbed and data centers got sweetheart deals, and ignored Iowa’s water for years. Now they’re paying the price. Rob Sand will lower energy costs, grow Iowa’s clean energy economy, and clean up Iowa’s water, not protect polluters and oil and gas billionaires.”

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