Lahn, Sand Campaigns Clash Over Proposed Iowa Governor Debates as Both Candidates Outline Different Visions for Voter Engagement

Decorah Vikings win, City Council votes, New Referenda on the ballot — we're the one telling Decorah's story. Donate now. DES MOINES, Iowa— The campaigns of Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn and Democratic nominee Rob Sand are offering competing proposals for how Iowa voters should hear from the candidates this fall, with both sides calling for more direct engagement but disagreeing over the number and format of debates. Lahn's campaign said Wednesday that he is proposing six Lincoln-Douglas-style debates with Sand after Labor Day, saying the debates should focus on extended policy discussions between the candidates rather than campaign events or political messaging. The campaign said Iowa PBS, WHO 13, KCCI, KCRG, KTIV and KWQC have each contacted the campaigns about hosting debates and invited each station to broadcast one of the proposed debates. Lahn's campaign proposed that debate topics be agreed upon by both campaigns and that the events be held in studio settings. It also said it prefers KCCI to host a final debate during the last week of October. "Iowans deserve substantive debates," Lahn Deputy Campaign Manager Meg Deneen said in a statement. "We must ensure these are true debates between the candidates, giving voters the opportunity to compare our visions for Iowa through thoughtful, in-depth discussion of the issues that matter most to our state's future." Sand's campaign responded by saying it had already challenged Lahn to participate in a different voter engagement plan: 100 public town halls in addition to four debates. In a statement, Sand said his campaign issued that challenge June 4 and accused Lahn of not responding to the proposal or participating in public events with voters. "On June 4, we challenged Zach Lahn to do 100 public town halls, as I am doing and do every year, in addition to four debates," Sand said. "He called our proposal 'politics' and said nothing on the substance of it." Sand's campaign said it has committed to four debates in four media markets: Des Moines, Sioux City, Cedar Rapids and Davenport. The proposed hosts are Iowa Press, KTIV, KCRG and KWQC, respectively. The campaign said it remains willing to work with media outlets and Lahn's campaign on debate formats and logistics. It also said that if Lahn does not participate in debates, Sand's campaign will continue negotiating with individual outlets or hold town halls in markets where debates do not take place. The disagreement centers on how the candidates should engage with voters during the campaign. Lahn's proposal focuses on a series of candidate-to-candidate debates designed around extended policy discussions. Sand's campaign has emphasized a combination of debates and direct voter questions through public town halls. The campaigns also dispute the timeline of debate discussions. Lahn's campaign said Sand agreed to the idea of Lincoln-Douglas-style debates during a spring meeting at the Iowa Capitol. Sand's campaign said media organizations reached out after its June 4 debate challenge and that it moved forward with a four-debate commitment after what it described as six weeks without a response from Lahn's campaign. Sand's campaign also criticized Lahn for missing a debate during the Republican primary. Lahn's campaign did not address that criticism in its debate announcement. Both campaigns say they want Iowa voters to have opportunities to hear from the candidates, but they have yet to agree on a shared debate schedule or format. Stay connected and informed! Join the free newsletter for curated news, trending topics, and insider perspectives you won't find anywhere else.