Rob Sand Calls for Putting Public Safety First at Press Conference with Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leaders

Former Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper: “Public safety is a high priority for [Rob], and he worked it, he lived it… and he wants to make sure that we have the safest state in the country.”

DES MOINES, IA – Yesterday, nominee for governor Rob Sand joined police officers, sheriffs, prosecutors, firefighters, first responders, and other public safety leaders from across Iowa to announce the “Public Safety Leaders for Rob” coalition and discuss why they’re backing his campaign. These leaders know Rob’s record and know where he stands: he’ll work with law enforcement, have their backs, and always put public safety ahead of partisan politics.

Rob spent the first seven years of his career as Iowa’s chief public corruption prosecutor, working alongside law enforcement to prosecute scammers, tax thieves, violent criminals, and sexual predators. As governor, Rob will bring that same commitment to public service to the Statehouse, working with law enforcement and first responders to make sure they have the resources, support, and leadership they need to keep Iowans safe.

Learn more about “Public Safety Leaders for Rob” HERE or below:

WATCH:

C-SPAN: Rob Sand says law enforcement should receive more benefits

KCCI: Sand pledges quick action on public safety issues

WHO13: Sand gets support from several in law enforcement

READ:

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier: Sand announces endorsements from public safety, law enforcement supporters

Nominee for governor Rob Sand announced his latest coalition of supporters today called “Public Safety Leaders for Rob.”
The coalition is made up of police officers and law enforcement officials, prosecutors, first responders, paramedics, firefighters and other public safety officials who are backing Sand this November.
“I spent more than 30 years in law enforcement, including 16 years as Sheriff of Black Hawk County, and I know what it takes to keep a community safe,” Thompson said in a news release.
“You need leaders who are willing to listen, work with the people on the ground, and make tough decisions. That’s what I see from Rob Sand. He understands accountability, he respects the people who serve our communities, and I trust him to make public safety a priority as governor. I’m proud to support Rob because I believe he’ll be a governor who keeps Iowans and their communities safe.”
“I started my career in the Attorney General’s office as a prosecutor, working with law enforcement to lock up criminals and hold the powerful accountable. I know first-hand how hard these officials work to keep our communities safe, and I’m grateful to have their support,” Sand said. “As governor, I’ll continue working with law enforcement and public safety officials across the state to make sure they have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.”

Iowa Capital Dispatch: Democrat Rob Sand calls for prioritizing public safety as property tax growth slows

Sand was joined by law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and other public safety workers at a campaign event at the Des Moines Firefighters Local Four union hall, who spoke about the reasons why they supported the Democrat for Iowa governor in 2026.
“Public safety is a high priority for him, and he worked it, he lived it,” Tupper said. “He was in the trenches with with law enforcement. He understands law enforcement, and he wants to make sure that we have the safest state in the country. He’s very intentional about building relationships with law enforcement and focusing on public safety, and we’ve all saw his work in the state auditor’s office.”
“If you want people to do public service work, they’re willing to sacrifice … the way people do when they run into a burning building, when they move into a situation where they know someone’s got a gun and they’re angry, the least that we can be doing is making sure that the exposure that they have to risk is something that we recognize, respect, and cover,” Sand said
“That attitude that I’m talking about is the one where … you might have a ‘D’ or an ‘R’ after your name on the ballot, but you don’t ask people when they call 911 whether or not they’re a Democrat or a Republican,” Sand said.

KTIV: Sand says public safety officials should be first heard on property tax law effects

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand said Iowa’s public safety officials should come first for decision making, as cities warn they will need to make cuts to first responders under a new property tax reform law.
Sand said supporting law enforcement is more than giving them a seat at the table. With cities including Des Moines cutting public safety positions amid budget pressures, Sand said he will watch how the state’s new property tax law affects departments and listen to law enforcement if they say it is making things harder.
“When you listen to people who are making sacrifices, who are putting their lives on the line, and they have legitimate complaints you would think that your first reaction would be to let’s get these people what they need because they’ve given a lot for us,” Sand said.

Radio Iowa: Public safety officials and NRA weigh in, while two major Iowa groups don’t endorse in governor’s race

Rob Sand, the Democrat who’s running for governor, is touting endorsements from five dozen current and former public safety officials, including seven county attorneys.
Fremont County Peter Johnson, a Democrat who previously served as mayor of Sidney, spoke at a news conference early this morning. “When I had some questions about public finance, I reached out to the auditor’s office and I thought that I would get somebody on the staff, but I got a call from Rob,” Johnson said. “Though he was the name at the top of the office, he wasn’t too good to help the major of a town of 1000 people in the southwest corner of Iowa.”
In a written statement, Sac County Attorney Ben Smith said “as a conservative Republican, I won’t agree with Sand on every issue,” but Smith said Sand has “the experience and judgment” as a former a prosecutor “to keep Iowans safe.”
“The reason I’m supporting Rob Sand is his bipartisan approach to politics and willingness to work across the aisle and keep everybody safe,” Wapello County Sheriff Donald Phillips said at the news conference.