Democrat Rob Sand won the Iowa governor’s race. He defeated Republican businessman Zach Lahn.
The Associated Press called the race late on Tuesday night. Sand led Lahn 55 percent to 45 percent with most votes counted.
Sand becomes the first Democrat elected governor of Iowa since Chet Culver in 2006. He flips an office Republicans held since 2011.
Sand flips Iowa governor’s office for Democrats
Sand is 44 and Iowa’s two-term state auditor. He is the only Democrat holding statewide office in Iowa.
He succeeds Republican Governor Kim Reynolds. She chose not to seek another term.
Sand campaigned on restoring balance to government and uniting Iowans across parties. He takes office in January.
The win completes a Democratic sweep in Iowa. Josh Turek also flipped the state’s Senate seat on the same night.
What is confirmed: Sand won the governor’s race. Lahn lost. A Democratic governor will now negotiate with a Republican-controlled Legislature.
