(KIWA Staff Photo)
Sioux Center, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Democratic gubernatorial nominee and Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand made his Sioux County stop on his 100 Town Hall Tour Thursday evening, taking questions from reporters before the event and later from audience members during a town hall at the Sioux Center Public Library.
Organizers said more than 100 people attended. The discussion covered property taxes, data centers, Education Savings Accounts, healthcare, campaign rhetoric, and how a Democratic governor would work with a Republican-controlled Legislature. Early in the event, Sand asked Republicans, Democrats, and independents to stand and be recognized, then invited the crowd to join him in singing the opening verse of America the Beautiful.
Why Sioux County?
Before the town hall began, Sand was asked why he continues bringing his annual tour to one of Iowa’s most Republican counties. According to the Sioux County Auditor’s Office, Republicans make up roughly 72% of the county’s active registered voters.
Sand said candidates should make themselves available to voters regardless of party.
“Rotate the Crops in the Capitol”
A central theme of the evening was Sand’s belief that Iowa would benefit from greater political balance after a decade of Republican control. Using an analogy familiar to many northwest Iowa residents, he said even good ideas can become less effective when one party holds power for too long.
Sand said that if elected governor, he expects to work with a Republican-controlled Legislature and believes bipartisan government produces better outcomes than prolonged one-party control.
Local Issues: Property Taxes and Data Centers
Several questions before the town hall focused on issues currently affecting northwest Iowa communities.
When asked about concerns from city and county officials over Iowa’s recently approved property tax overhaul, Sand said local governments deserve more input before major legislation is passed.
Sand was also asked about data centers — after Sioux County and others approved temporary moratoriums — and said he does not support a statewide pause but believes large developments should directly benefit local communities.
Education Savings Accounts Draw Extended Discussion
One attendee noted that many Sioux County families have benefited from Iowa’s Education Savings Account program and asked Sand to explain his concerns.
The ESA program allows eligible families to use state funds for private-school tuition and certain other expenses. In its first year in 2023, Sioux County had the fourth-highest number of approved ESA applications statewide.
Sand said if private schools don’t want the public looking at how taxpayer dollars are spent…
Sand said schools accepting public funds should be subject to financial audits and spending oversight similar to public schools, arguing taxpayer dollars should come with public accountability.
Working Across Party Lines
Several audience questions focused on what Sand could realistically accomplish if elected governor while working with a Republican-controlled Legislature.
During the media availability before the town hall, reporters asked Sand how he would approach issues that have divided the Legislature, including recent debates over LGBTQ rights.
Later in the evening, when asked how voters could trust he would follow through on campaign promises, Sand pointed to his record as state auditor, saying he has taken positions that have frustrated members of both parties and has tried to remain transparent with voters.
A Local Republican’s Perspective
Brock Lehman — a registered Republican, social studies teacher at Sioux Center High School, and attendee at Thursday’s event — said hearing directly from candidates, regardless of party, is an important part of being an informed voter.
Lehman, who was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, said he wished the event had included more discussion about Iowa’s high cancer rates and healthcare.
Thursday’s Northwest Iowa Tour
The Sioux County town hall capped a four-stop northwest Iowa swing that also took Sand to Sibley, Rock Rapids, and Le Mars earlier in the day. Those events were part of his ongoing annual 100 Town Hall Tour, which continues with additional stops across Iowa as he campaigns for governor.
