Erin Murphy

thegazette.comSand has millions more to spend than LahnBoth Iowa gubernatorial candidates Lahn and Sand had record-setting fundraising recently, but Sand finished the period in a far better financial spot.

What's in the latest campaign fundraising reports from Iowa's gubernatorial candidates, Zach Lahn and Rob Sand? * the topline #s * the top donors * the national groups * the grassroots * how much they've spent * where they're spending it It's all here: www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

First pass through Iowa governor candidate Rob Sand's latest fundraising report (covering 7/15-10/14): * $16.3M * $5.5M from Dem Govs Assoc. * $1.25M from wife/in-laws * 88,694 individual donations * 66,000+ donations of less than $50, totaling $968K

First pass through Iowa governor candidate Zach Lahn's latest fundraising report (covering 7/15-10/14): * $16.9M * $14.5M from 3 sources: GOP Govs Assoc. ($11.8M), Republican Party of Iowa ($1.7M), MAHA PAC ($1M) * just shy of 5,000 individual donations

Big # that I failed to note on my first pass throughs: cash on hand. Here's what each Iowa gubernatorial candidate had in their campaign account at the end of the period (Oct. 14): Rob Sand: $5.35 million Zach Lahn: $403,000

thegazette.comLahn, Sand debate in Sioux City takes a break from campaign attacksFor the second time in a little less than a week, Republican Zach Lahn and Democrat Rob Sand squared off in a debate. This time in Sioux City. It was quite a change in tone from the prior meeting. "I ...

Kudos to the great @TwoHeadedBoy98 for his coverage of last night's gubernatorial debate in Sioux City. Excellent work here. Maybe I'll have him talk about it on the next On Iowa Politics podcast ... www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

thegazette.comIowa lawmakers approve $1.4 billion in tax breaks for steel plantThe tax breaks, which would be the most for a project in state history, are being considered Friday during a special session of the Iowa Legislature.

And we are expecting Gov. Kim Reynolds to sign it into law yet tonight. www.thegazette.com/news/state/i...

thegazette.comIowa lawmakers consider $1.4 billion in tax breaks for steel plantThe tax breaks, which would be the most for a project in state history, are being considered Friday during a special session of the Iowa Legislature.

As the proposal progresses through the legislative process today, we have updated our story with quotes from Mesabi Metallics CEO Joe Broking and IEDA Dir. Debi Durham from today's legislative hearing. www.thegazette.com/news/state/i...

Erin Murphy@erindmurphy.bsky.social

State tax breaks for a planned, $15 billion steel plant in Lee County in SE Iowa are on the legislative agenda today at the Iowa Capitol. What they're discussing today: www.thegazette.com/news/state/i... What the candidates for Iowa governor think about it: www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

thegazette.comIowa lawmakers consider $1.4 billion tax breaks for planned steel plantDES MOINES — Nearly $1.4 billion in state tax breaks would be awarded to a Minnesota-based, India-owned company that plans to build a $15 billion steel plant in Lee County

Couple one, two people here tonight for this Rob Sand campaign event at the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines.

(1,800+ according to the campaign, FWIW)

www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

thegazette.comRob Sand draws 1,800-plus to Polk County eventThe large crowd packed a Des Moines-area concert venue for Sand’s 100th public town hall in 2026.

thegazette.comRob Sand, Zach Lahn talk steel plant, incentivesZach Lahn and Rob Sand, the Republican and Democratic candidates for Iowa governor, both advise ‘stair-step’ incentives for new steel plant in Iowa.

Q: What do Iowa's candidates for governor, Zach Lahn and Rob Sand, think about state tax incentives for the planned new steel plant in SE Iowa? A (because I asked 'em yesterday): www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

www.thegazette.com/news/state/i...

thegazette.comIowa Gov. Reynolds calls special session for steel plant tax incentivesIowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called for a special legislative session to amend the state’s economic development program for large business ventures.

Erin Murphy@erindmurphy.bsky.social

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has called a special session to amend the state's economic development program for large business ventures. The move comes a day after the announcement that a company plans to build the largest-ever steel plant in the U.S. in SE Iowa.

🤷‍♂️

thegazette.comLargest-ever U.S. steel plant coming to Iowa, White House saysMesabi Metallics plans a $15 billion investment that will create 1,750 new jobs, the White House says

A $15 billion steel plant, the largest in U.S. history, is coming to Iowa. President Trump will announce this afternoon from the Oval Office. All according to the White House. www.thegazette.com/news/state/l...

Keyboard smoking to get the update posted, but flagging this nugget in the meantime:

Erin Murphy reposted

The Gazette

@thegazette.com

Democratic Iowa Gubernatorial Nominee @robsandia.bsky.social talks about the Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa during an interview with @erindmurphy.bsky.social for the On Iowa Politics Podcast. Full episode: www.thegazette.com/multimedia/p...

thegazette.comRob Sand cites COVID audit as proof of his nonpartisan claimsRob Sand, the state auditor and Democratic candidate for governor, addressed that question and others on The Gazette’s “On Iowa Politics” podcast.

Topics hit w/ @robsandia.bsky.social on On Iowa Politics: * nonpartisan claims * how he'd work w/ #ialegis GOP * how he'd make appointments * UI Center for Intellectual Freedom * would he run for POTUS * more Read: www.thegazette.com/news/electio... Watch/listen: www.thegazette.com/multimedia/p...

Erin Murphy reposted

The Gazette

@thegazette.com

@robsandia.bsky.social talks about water quality during an interview with The Gazette's @erindmurphy.bsky.social for the On Iowa Politics Podcast. Listen to the full episode: www.thegazette.com/multimedia/p...

thegazette.comA special session to pass steel plant tax breaks? MaybeIowa Republican statehouse leaders are considering a special legislative session to create tax incentives for a potential new steel plant in southeast Iowa.

Iowa Republicans mulling special session to pass tax breaks for possible new steel plant in SE Iowa www.thegazette.com/news/state/i...

www.thegazette.com/news/state/i...

thegazette.comIowa judge dismisses Trump’s lawsuit against Des Moines Register and pollsterA judge in Iowa has dismissed President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against The Des Moines Register and its former pollster. Trump sued in December 2024, accusing pollster J. Ann Selzer and

thegazette.comOn Iowa Politics Podcast: Potential running mate issues in gubernatorial raceThis week, we talk about upcoming debates and potential running mate issues in Iowa’s gubernatorial election, and we’ll recall 9/11.

11 Sept

On the latest On Iowa Politics podcast, just like so many other people do on this solemn anniversary, we remember where we were when ... www.thegazette.com/multimedia/p...

thegazette.comOn Iowa Politics Podcast: Iowa and the $126M Meta SettlementThis week, we discuss Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and the $17.1 billion-dollar multistage settlement with Meta over child safety. Iowa is guaranteed to receive $126 million in the settlement,

31 Aug

On the latest On Iowa Politics podcast: * more towns discuss data centers * Meta settlement * Save Our Bacon * Iowa GOP ticket + Stick around for my embarrassing Iowa State Fair confession; and please remember the On Iowa Politics podcast is a safe space. www.thegazette.com/multimedia/p...

thegazette.comSwaying minds: Lahn makes his case in Iowa’s gubernatorial campaignZach Lahn, the Republican candidate for Iowa governor, made his pitch and converted some into supporters during a busy week on the campaign trail.

10 Aug

I spent a day last week covering three Zach Lahn campaign town halls in Eastern Iowa. Here's what I saw and heard: www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

thegazette.com‘Looking for change:’ Iowa voters, including Republicans, responding to SandDuring 3 events on one day this week, Democratic Iowa candidate for governor Rob Sand made impressions on hundreds, including some Republicans.

31 July

I spent a day this week covering three Rob Sand campaign town halls in Central Iowa. Here's what I saw and heard: www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

31 July

And if you liked that one, stick around for a few days ... There's a non-zero chance you'll see another story just like it next week on Zach Lahn's campaign.

thegazette.comIowa Democratic caucuses left out of early vote againIowa Democrats’ bid to have their first-in-the-nation presidential precinct caucuses restored proved unsuccessful Friday.

24 July

Iowa Democratic caucuses again left out of early-voting window by national party leaders. #FITN no more for Iowa Democrats, even with 2 new states added to the party's early window. www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

thegazette.comEmails show Center for Intellectual Freedom power struggleSince lawmakers last year created a new Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa, a behind-the-scenes power struggle has erupted, hindering the center’s progress and deepening politic...

17 July

Emails reveal a behind-the-scenes power struggle has erupted over the University of Iowa's new Center for Intellectual Freedom. From the venerable @vanessamiller12.bsky.social: www.thegazette.com/news/emails-...

thegazette.comBaseball apparently signed by Pete Rose among unclaimed Iowa treasuresA baseball apparently autographed by one of the greatest teams in professional sports history is among items unclaimed by Iowa owners.

15 July

If anyone out there knows (or knew, please forgive me if that's the case) a Jonathan Pederson of Mason City, now would be a good time to reach out to him or his family. www.thegazette.com/news/state/b...

thegazette.comGovernor backs keeping Larry Johnson in key agencyReynolds said her administration kept Larry Johnson as an Iowa HHS leader — despite Senate Democrats’ rejection of his appointment — to ensure consistency in agency operations.

8 July

Gov. Kim Reynolds on her administration keeping former Iowa HHS Director/Senate-rejected Larry Johnson in leadership: "very important that we have some consistency." www.thegazette.com/news/state/g...

thegazette.comZach Lahn pushes back at criticism of residence, travelIn his first public campaign event since the June 2 primary election, Republican Zach Lahn in Tama, Iowa, addressed criticism levied at his campaign over his residence and travels.

3 July

At his first public campaign event since winning the June 2 primary election, Iowa Republican candidate for governor Zach Lahn addressed criticism of his travels and fired back at Democratic candidate Rob Sand. www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

12 June

The Republican and Democratic candidates for Iowa Lieutenant Governor, as submitted by their respective campaigns.

12 June

If you want to know more about these gentlemen than just their headwear stylings, like their heads, we have you covered: www.thegazette.com/news/electio... www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

thegazette.comIowa governor candidate Lahn picks state lawmaker Wulf as running mateDerek Wulf, a state lawmaker and farmer from Hudson, is Iowa Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn’s pick for a running mate and lieutenant governor nominee.

12 June

Zach Lahn has named his running mate. The tickets for Iowa's open-seat gubernatorial election are complete. www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

thegazette.comName confusion leads to challenge of Iowa Libertarian candidateIowa Congressional candidate Marco Battaglia’s use of two different names on his paperwork is the subject of a challenge to his spot on the ballot.

10 June

Ol' Bill once pondered, "What's in a name?" www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

ICYMI thread! It's been a busy news cycle on Iowa's gubernatorial campaign trail over the past few days, so let's get y'all caught up:

View full thread

thegazette.comGubernatorial candidate Sand to Lahn: Iowa jobs are for IowansIowa Democratic candidate Rob Sand held his first campaign event of the general election Sunday, criticizing Republican Zach Lahn’s dual residency

Last night, Sand held his first campaign event since last week's primary election: www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

thegazette.comSand’s first Iowa general election ad criticizes Lahn’s dual residencyThe first ad of the general election in Iowa’s gubernatorial campaign, from Democrat Rob Sand, criticizes Republican candidate Zach Lahn for keeping his family’s home in Kansas while campaigning in Io...

The Sand campaign also posted its first ad of the general election over the weekend: www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

ICYMI thread! It's been a busy news cycle on Iowa's gubernatorial campaign trail over the past few days, so let's get y'all caught up:

thegazette.comRob Sand vs. Zach Lahn — Iowa’s gubernatorial campaign matchup is setIn Iowa’s 2026 election for governor, neither Democrat Rob Sand nor Republican Zach Lahn is a cookie-cutter candidate from their respective parties.

There's a lot coming, so if you click on only one of the following links, make it this one. It sets the scene for everything else to follow. Zach Lahn vs. Rob Sand. What do we know? What will the campaign to be Iowa's next governor look and sound like? www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

thegazette.comRob Sand names running mate in Iowa governor’s raceDemocrat Rob Sand named Crawford County Supervisor and farmer Dave Muhlbauer as his 2026 running mate for lieutenant governor in Iowa's governor race.

This morning, Democratic candidate Rob Sand announced his running mate and lieutenant governor nominee (via @tjbarton83.bsky.social): www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

5 June

And they're off! www.thegazette.com/news/electio...

thegazette.comRob Sand: Require Iowa elected officials to hold town hallsIowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand says public town halls should be a requirement for state elected officials to get on the ballot.

3 June

A lot going on these past 24 hours, so didn't get a chance to post this one: Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand is proposing a requirement for state elected officials to hold public town halls. www.thegazette.com/news/electio...