cbs2iowa.com · September 8, 2026
As the governor's race remains close, running mates draw attention
# As the governor's race remains close, running mates draw attention
by Skylar Tallal
Tue, September 8, 2026 at 8:59 PM
As the governor's race remains close, running mates draw attention (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, Iowa — Two months out until election day and Iowa's race for governor continues to appear close. A new Emerson College poll shows Democrat Rob Sand with a slight advantage over his Republican opponent Zach Lahn.
"We're in that last push once you get past Labor Day that's when the campaigns really intensify and you have that push towards the finish line so to speak," Tim Hagle a political science professor at the University of Iowa said.
As both campaigns work to build support in the final stretch, Zach Lahn's running mate Derek Wulf is facing criticism over his farm operation being placed in receivership amid financial disputes and allegations of fraud and theft. That's according to the Des Moines Register. The Register also reports the Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office has an active investigation into Wulf.
Democrats argue Lahn's pick for lieutenant governor reflects poorly on his ability to make decisions for the state if elected.
Lahn's campaign pushes back and said cases have been dropped or settled; debts have been paid and Wulf's almost done refinancing his farm.
"It's not necessarily the career ender. But it is a distraction," Karen Kedrowski a political science professor at Iowa State said. "People just are not as concerned or don't react as viscerally to financial scandals."
Republicans have also previously criticized Rob Sand's pick for lieutenant governor Dave Muhlbauer. They point to past Iowa DN complaints and investigations regarding water quality issues against the Muhlbauer's farming operation. Muhlbauer told the Register the problem has been addressed.