2026 gubernatorial Overview
ICI does not endorse candidates. This overview presents publicly documented statements and actions with links to sources.
Zach Lahn (R)
Rob Sand (D)
Vaccine Mandates
Zach Lahn (R)
Publicly supports repealing vaccine mandates. When asked directly by Iowa PBS whether vaccine mandates should be repealed, Lahn answered "Yes".
Source: Iowa PBS, April 3, 2026
Rob Sand (D)
No specific public statement on vaccine mandates has been verified.
School Vaccine Requirements and Parental Choice
Zach Lahn (R)
Publicly supports ending childhood vaccine requirements for school attendance. Lahn has stated that parents and their physicians should make vaccination decisions.
Source: KCCI interview
Rob Sand (D)
No specific public statement on vaccine mandates has been verified.
Covid Vaccines and mRNA Technology
Zach Lahn (R)
Publicly called for removing COVID-19 vaccines from the market. During a January 2026 Republican primary debate, he also expressed support for banning mRNA vaccines more broadly. During the October 6 gubernatorial debate, Lahn clarified that his opposition was directed at COVID-19 vaccines, not emerging cancer treatments. In a separate October 6 interview, he acknowledged that future mRNA technology could have medical benefits.
Sources: October 6 Governor Debate – KCCI & October 6 Interview and Video – Iowa's News Now
Rob Sand (D)
"I support a policy that balances public health with the rights of individuals. Iowans should consult their physicians to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. Yet, just recently, there was a measles outbreak in Johnson County. If we want to stop diseases that have already been eradicated from coming back into our communities, then we should rely on safe vaccines, including the HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines. We should also take people’s concerns seriously, without giving up effective disease prevention tools. Vaccines save lives, and I’m in favor of using tools that save lives. My opponents want to ban all future mRNA vaccines no matter how many people are dying. I do not."
Source: Iowa Cancer Consortium
Medical Freedom Organization Involvement
Zach Lahn (R)
Has attended an Informed Choice Iowa conference and engaged with local medical freedom advocates. Received endorsements from Stand for Health Freedom and MAHA and signed Dr. Mary Talley Bowden's Medical Liberty Pledge.
Rob Sand (D)
Did not complete Stand for Health Freedom's candidate survey or sign the Medical Liberty Pledge. Has not attended an Informed Choice Iowa event. Completed a national American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network candidate survey. ACS CAN receives financial support from major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Merck, and AstraZeneca.
Governor access to Medical Records and Personal Information
Zach Lahn (R)
No specific public statement identified regarding government access to confidential medical records or Iowa's 2023 restrictions on the State Auditor's access to personal information.
Rob Sand (D)
During the 2020 Test Iowa investigation, Sand sought access to COVID-related medical records, arguing that the Auditor's Office was legally entitled to the information and subject to HIPAA protections. The Iowa Department of Public Health objected to the proposed access arrangement.
Sand has also advocated for reversing restrictions enacted in 2023 under SF 478 that limit the State Auditor's access to certain confidential records, including medical information. He argues these restrictions interfere with government oversight and accountability.
Sources: Beckers Hospital Review & Iowa Public Radio
Medical Freedom Organization Involvement
Zach Lahn (R)
Publicly called for repealing the federal 1986 vaccine-liability framework, arguing that vaccine manufacturers should face greater legal accountability. This would require federal action.
Source: Iowa PBS, April 3, 2026
Rob Sand (D)
No specific public position on changing federal vaccine manufacturer liability protections has been verified.
Masks and Covid Restrictions
Zach Lahn (R)
Publicly criticized COVID-era lockdowns, church closures, and government restrictions on individual rights. Specific policies at the Kansas school he helped operate during COVID have not yet been independently verified.
Source: Radio Iowa
“As long as I have known Zach he has always been a huge advocate of body autonomy. A great example of this was during Covid. My kids attended the school he ran. Zach handled Covid better than any other school I know about. we were virtual the next day and we were back to in person as soon as possible, months before public. He never swayed a parent one way or the other and accommodated everyone equally.”
-Ashley Thompson, parent from Wonder School
Rob Sand (D)
Publicly supported mask use and COVID mitigation measures.
