<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Rob Sand, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Iowa, has expressed his opposition to former Vice President Kamala Harris potentially running for the presidency in 2028.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In a recent interview with Politico, Sand was asked if Harris should launch a third campaign for the White House. Sand responded, “Nope.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He did not specify which Democrat he believes would be best suited to help the party regain the White House, instead focusing on his campaign to win the Iowa governor’s mansion for the first time in two decades.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sand is among the first prominent Democrats to publicly state that Harris should not run again in 2028. Harris has indicated she is considering another run after her brief campaign against President Donald Trump.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Polls indicate that Harris remains a leading candidate among Democratic hopefuls for 2028. Few Democrats have openly suggested moving on from Harris, likely due to the significant influence of supportive Black voters in the presidential primary.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Democrats in Iowa, aiming to regain control of an open Senate seat and the governorship, are urging Harris to avoid campaigning in the state this election cycle.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“No thanks,” Sand said when asked about Harris or former President Joe Biden campaigning for him in Iowa. “Let’s move on. We need some new leadership.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Campaign representatives for Sand and Iowa Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek previously stated they do not seek an endorsement from Harris and do not want her to participate in any campaign rallies this cycle.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Iowa Democrats are looking to reverse the state’s shift to the GOP under Trump’s leadership in the upcoming election. They received a boost last week when the Cook Political Report shifted the Iowa gubernatorial race from a toss-up to leaning Democratic and changed Iowa’s Senate race from leaning Republican to a toss-up.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sand highlighted his previous registration as an independent, noting that in 2018, he benefited from Harris’s support during his campaign for Iowa state auditor.</p>