Sand, Lahn Call for Increasing Mental Healthcare Access, Medicaid Oversight in Debate
The debate gives Zach Lahn and Rob Sand one last chance to press their cases on taxes, schools and state spending before voters decide.
- Republican Zach Lahn and Democrat Rob Sand met in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, October 27, for their third and final gubernatorial debate before next week's general election.
- Candidates are vying to succeed Governor Kim Reynolds, who is not seeking reelection after nine years in office. If elected, Sand would become the first Democratic governor in Iowa in 20 years.
- Debating Medicaid, Sand cited an auditor's report showing an 891% increase in overturned service denials after privatization. Lahn warned removing managed care oversight could cost the state "about $1 billion in federal funding."
- Both candidates expressed support for Medicaid work requirements under the "One, Big Beautiful Bill" Act, though Sand voiced concerns about paperwork barriers while Lahn argued for banning artificial intelligence from denying claims.
- This third debate concludes the scheduled matchups before voters decide the next governor in less than one week. The race centers on healthcare policy, economic growth, and mental health access across Iowa.
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Can a Democrat stop Iowa’s red drift? 5 moments from the governor’s debate - NEW YORK TIMES POST
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Zach Lahn, a businessman, and Rob Sand, a former Iowa assistant attorney general and two-term state auditor, are competing to succeed retiring Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has served as governor for nearly a decade. The opponents faced off Tuesday night for a 90-minute debate where they [...]
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Sand, Lahn call for increasing mental healthcare access, Medicaid oversight in debate
Democratic Auditor Rob Sand and Republican businessman Zach Lahn are competing to become Iowa governor in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. (Photos by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch, photo illustration via Canva)
One last showdown: Sand, Lahn face off before Election Day
CEDAR RAPIDS — With just one week until Election Day, Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn faced off on Oct. 27 in their final debate of Iowa’s gubernatorial race, sparring over education, healthcare, government spending, and the state’s future. The 90-minute debate at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids offered voters one last opportunity...
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