2026 gubernatorial Overview
Candidate Overview
The summaries below provide a snapshot of each candidate’s positions, actions, and involvement related to medical freedom.
Information may include legislative activity, public statements, endorsements from outside organizations such as Stand for Health Freedom, pledge participation, and engagement with Informed Choice Iowa. Where noted, candidates may have signed Dr. Mary Talley Bowden’s Medical Liberty Pledge or completed the Stand for Health Freedom candidate survey through Vote for Health Freedom, which are linked for voters who wish to review them directly.
For candidates with a legislative record, this reflects sponsorship, floor management, and advocacy on relevant bills. For non incumbents, information is based on public statements, debate positions, and known involvement.
Informed Choice Iowa does not endorse candidates for public office. Our goal is to provide clear, factual information to help voters understand where candidates stand so they can make informed decisions.
Zach Lahn-R
Endorsed by MAHA Action and Stand for Health Freedom for his positions on medical freedom. He has signed Dr. Mary Talley Bowden’s Medical Liberty Pledge, upheld medical freedom for families and students at his school in Kansas during the COVID pandemic, and has attended an Informed Choice Iowa conference.
Rob Sand-D
Rob Sand has not signed Dr. Mary Talley Bowden’s Medical Liberty Pledge and has not held legislative office to take votes on medical freedom legislation. He did not complete the Stand for Health Freedom candidate survey, has not attended any Informed Choice Iowa events and has not made public statements outlining his position on medical freedom. During the COVID pandemic, he used his role as State Auditor to encourage mask use, adherence to gathering limits, and sought access to private medical records to audit COVID testing data.