The two candidates for governor debated for the first time last (Tuesday) night and while they were asked about property taxes, economic issues, and Iowa’s high cancer rates, they spent much of the time sparring over campaign ads.
Republican Zach Lahn (like “LANE”) said it was dispicable for Democrat Rob Sand to run ads that focus on Lahn’s travel to Kansas. Sand responded that Lahn had voted in Kansas as recently as 2022. Lahn flies to Kansas to see and pick up children from his previous marriage.
Sand returned to the topic in his closing statement.
A question about schools prompted a debate about a different campaign ad. Here’s Sand:
Lahn added that most teachers are great people, but he says there are educators who’ve talked about getting around curriculum restrictions that Iowa policymakers have adopted. The first question of the evening was about the proposed steel mill in Lee County. Lahn called it a transformational project that will bring thousands of jobs to an economically depressed area. Sand said if things fall into place, the plant would be great news for the state. When asked to share something they’d do on their first day as governor to lower costs, Lahn said he’d already done something by making a suggestion to Vice President Vance that wound up in President Trump’s executive order to allow tax-exempt off-road diesel to be used in vehicles on public highways.
Sand said one of his day one priorities would be examining the fees utilitity companies are charging.
The candidates have agreed to three more debates this month. Last (Tuesday) night’s debate was hosted by K-W-Q-C T-V in the Quad Cities.
