Iowa state auditor Rob Sand, the Democratic candidate for governor, received strong support from Republican hunters at the Iowa Deer Classic expo in Des Moines. Despite his party affiliation, attendees praised his big buck and local authenticity. Sand is leveraging his hunting background to appeal in the red state ahead of the June primary.
Rob Sand, Iowa's only statewide Democratic elected official and current state auditor, attended the Iowa Deer Classic at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines during a recent March weekend. He entered a Green gross-scoring 209-inch buck he had tagged earlier in the season, earning congratulations from fellow hunters despite his politics. Levi Schmitz, a Trump-voting Republican, called him “Mr. 200!” and plans to support him, while Tom Buckroyd, wearing a “Crossbows Are Gay” T-shirt, declared, “I’m super-Republican, but you got my vote.” Another attendee, Jeremy from Exira, predicted, “You’re the next governor of Iowa!” though Sand did not win the Big Buck contest he entered. Sand attended a chapel service for expo-goers beforehand, scrolling a Contemporary English Version of the Bible on his phone during a sermon on Jesus feeding the 5,000. His campaign launched a “Hunting With Rob” microsite emphasizing support for hunters and conservationists. At the expo, he purchased $30 on a burr-removing glove, $35 on a bow-leveling tool, and $69 on MAXX Step Aiders. Sand attributes his reception to his big buck and cultural authenticity amid a “stupid, broken, two-choice political system.” He positions himself as a fiscally responsible taxpayer advocate after five years as auditor. A October poll showed him leading GOP Rep. Randy Feenstra 45% to 43%. Sand faces no primary opposition on June 2, while five Republicans compete. Critics like David Kochel note he must defend Democratic positions, Jeff Kaufmann highlights $7 million from wealthy in-laws, and Bob Vander Plaats calls him “dangerous,” endorsing Adam Steen over Feenstra instead. Sand openly supports gay marriage but avoids lecturing voters.
