State elections officials have determined Democratic gubernatorial candidate Julie Stauch’s nominating signatures did not meet requirements set in state law, clearing the path for State Auditor Rob Sand to be the party’s nominee in Iowa’s 2026 election for the open governor’s seat.
Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Julie Stauch files her nominating signatures with the Iowa Secretary of State at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Democratic candidate for Iowa Governor Rob Sand speaks during the opening of Sand’s Cedar Rapids campaign field office southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Sand’s campaign submitted 24,756 petition signatures earlier this week to officially qualify for the ballot, including signatures from all 99 counties, and over 5,000 signatures from registered Republicans and no-party voters.
Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Julie Stauch files her nominating signatures with the Iowa Secretary of State at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Democratic candidate for Iowa Governor Rob Sand speaks during the opening of Sand’s Cedar Rapids campaign field office southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Sand’s campaign submitted 24,756 petition signatures earlier this week to officially qualify for the ballot, including signatures from all 99 counties, and over 5,000 signatures from registered Republicans and no-party voters.
