Rob Sand has chosen Crawford County Supervisor and farmer Dave Muhlbauer as his running mate in Iowa’s governor’s race, putting a western Iowa Democrat with deep farm roots on the statewide ticket as Sand heads into the general election.
The pick gives Sand a partner who is already known in the county where he has served in local government for eight years. Muhlbauer, 42, was born and raised in Manilla, and he and his extended family farm corn, soybeans and alfalfa near his father’s childhood home while also raising cattle, hogs and horses. Their farm has been in the family for five generations, and both his late father and grandfather served in elected office, including on the board of supervisors and in the state Legislature.
Sand has spent his campaign trying to sell a broad message of accountability and cross-party appeal, arguing that Iowa needs a break from one-party control and a turn away from corruption and insider influence. Muhlbauer fits that pitch on paper and in person. Sand said he represents “the best of our state: hard-working, honest and always willing to help out,” and added that he has worked with everyone to deliver for western Iowa.
Muhlbauer, for his part, framed the race as a response to voters who feel shut out of state government. “I do think local government is closest to the people, boots on the ground. So we hear things firsthand,” he said, adding that people are upset their voices are not being heard and believe “special interests and powerful insiders” are being represented instead. “And we’re here to change that,” he said. He also cast the choice as a continuation of the state’s rural Democratic tradition, saying farming is in his blood but so is public service.
The selection also carries personal weight. Muhlbauer launched a Democratic U.S. Senate campaign in 2022 against Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley before ending it after the death of his 4-year-old nephew in a farm accident. Sand ran unopposed in this year’s primary, and now turns to a fall campaign that will test whether a farmer from Crawford County can help the ticket connect with western Iowa voters and rural Democrats beyond the party’s usual base.
