(Rob Sand - Community First Broadcasting Staff Photo)Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — Governor-elect Rob Sand has announced the first hire of his incoming administration, naming Abe Rakov as his chief of staff.
Rakov previously served as chief of staff to former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander and has experience working in divided government situations.
Sand said that background should be valuable as he prepares to work with a Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature.
Sand also said he has remained in contact with Rakov over the past decade, adding that Rakov was in Iowa on Election Day volunteering for Sand’s campaign.
Rakov posted on social media that he is humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve as chief of staff.
Since 2018, Rakov has worked for a Texas-based consulting firm and has advised a number of Democratic campaigns and political organizations, including Beto O’Rourke’s 2020 presidential campaign and the group Run for Something.
Sand will be sworn in as Iowa’s governor in January.
