Although it is common knowledge that Rob Sand was given $7 million by his in-laws, the Lauridsens, toward his campaign for Iowa Governor, what is less commonly known is that the Lauridsens have been backing Republicans for years — Kim Reynolds, Randy Feenstra, Chuck Grassley, and the Republican Party of Iowa, to name a few. Some contributions may be found on the Federal Election Commission’s website, however this does not include contributions to state and local politicians which might be found on the Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board’s website. Moreover, it is difficult to determine whether or not the Lauridsens or their namesake company, The Lauridsen Group Inc (“L.G.I.”), finance campaigns through:
Dark money – “Dark money” refers to spending meant to influence political outcomes where the source of the money is not disclosed. The use of dark money to impact elections hit a record high in 2025. With the exorbitant amount of visible, on-the-books sums we see being pumped into Republican campaigns by Walter, Virginia, and Nixon Lauridsen (Rob’s father-in-law, who gave $4 M to help kick off Rob’s campaign), it is certainly plausible that off-the-record sums are also involved.
Shell corporations – “Shell corporations” are often set up by domestic companies in order to stash money abroad to avoid taxes — or to hide the name(s) of the owner(s) of a business(es) so that the general public does not know who owns the company. L.G.I. consists of six subsidiaries, who likely have subsidiaries and/or partnership(s) of their own. The Lauridsens reportedly own several yachts, with some registered offshore to avoid U.S. taxes. Assuming this report is true, it is likely the family owns offshore accounts. After all, such practice is popular among America’s ultra-wealthy.
The fact remains: we’ve got a registered Democrat backed by Republicans, running on a platform centered around fiscal conservatism (“going after fraud, waste, and abuse”), and wants us to work nicely with the same Republicans who are unconstitutionally siphoning more than $200 M in tax dollars out of public schools who desperately need the funding, ripping impoverished Iowans off Medicaid and SNAP benefits, violating reproductive rights, and making it unsafe for transgender people to work or even live in Iowan — the list goes on and on. Although this should be seen a major red flag for Democrats, unfortunately many seem to have rose-colored glasses on when it comes to Rob’s campaign: he’s got a “D” next to his name, so no questions asked — we’re desperate to win an election: he’s in.
“The Iowa GOP is already gearing up to dig into this issue, and they will use this glaring concern among Iowans in order to split Democrats, and turn people against the party post-caucus. Hear me out before it is too late: I want Rob to run as Auditor and back my campaign, so that together Democrats can run on a united front.”
For Dems who are looking closer and sounding the alarm, we see our party being led into a trap and needing to wizen up fast because we’re setting ourselves up for severe failure (he hasn’t shown a concrete plan: here is mine). I’m reminded of the song “Won’t Get Fooled Again” by The Who. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
For the Dems to actually win this election (and not “in name only”, as it would be if we win with Rob), we need to be firm with ultra-wealthy families like the Lauridsens, who have been meddling in our elections for years, and tell them, “We see what you are doing, object, and we do not consent to you gaming our elections.” Before we do this, however, it is crucial that we have: have a really strong plan that is better than either party’s current agenda.
We need a Governor who will stand up for mutual rights, dignity, and respect of all for Iowans — not placate us into submission by telling us to roll onto our backs and have our bellies rubbed while our rights are being violated. Sorry, Rob, but that’s what it feels like.
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Sondra Wilson asks Rob Sand to step down from bid for Governor
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Sondra Wilson v. Rob Sand – what’s the difference?
As the author of this article, I’m just going to write from a firsthand perspective. Rob’s campaign v. my campaign are very different from one another. First, I’ve invested years in writing an original, comprehensive platform which speaks to the needs and political desires of Iowans I’ve spoken with over the years (parts are unfinished or still behind-the-scenes, which is I’m working on asap). We don’t see a platform from Rob’s campaign yet. I appear to be the only candidate who has a plan to help Iowans with both housing and justice reform, for example. Being as I’m not among that class of persons, I am also likely the only candidate calling to increase taxes on Iowa’s multi-millionaire and billionaire class via the Iowa Commonwealth Act. If any of them are unhappy about it and want to save money, perhaps they can do so via no longer tossing millions of dollars over our heads to game our elections. Think of all the good that money could have done to help people! Instead they spend millions bankrolling Republican candidates who harm us, and then a Democrat to is lull us to back to sleep with their charming personality.
The meat and potatoes of my platform is centered around Civilian Restoration Corps (“CRC”). Modeled after Civil Conservation Corps (“CCC”), which is largely accredited with helping to dig the U.S. out of the Great Depression, the CRC is an up-to-date, modernized version of the CCC. It is a plan that will create thousands of new jobs across the state, connecting people with nature, ending Iowa’s record-high food insecurity crisis in a way that addresses environmental concerns without greenwashing, and pays Iowans to get jobs on small farms helping out farmers. After all, what Iowa farmer doesn’t have a barn full of crap they’d love some people to help out with? (Don’t judge – that’s how we talk in Iowa!).
Continue reading the article below, or learn more about Civilian Restoration Corps here:
A Historic Stance on Justice
Here’s the real clincher that separates me from every other candidate: on March 31 I filed this Criminal Complaint against Donald Trump, Kim Reynolds, and approximately 90 Iowa Legislators.
Actually, let me say that again in legalese, and I strongly encourage you to click on the links because if We the People are going to hold government officials accountable for violating laws, we need to start by learning our laws:
On March 31, 2025 I filed a criminal complaint against Donald Trump, Kim Reynolds, and approximately 90 natural persons who, acting under color of authority, willfully deprived the rights of numerous classes of Iowans, thereby violating the following laws of the United States:
United States Code Title 18 Section 241(3) Conspiracy against rights, depriving persons of rights or privileges – “If two or more persons in any State… conspire… on the premises of another (e.g. public property), for the purpose of depriving, either directly or indirectly, any person or class of persons of the equal protection of the laws, or of equal privileges and immunities under the laws; or for the purpose of preventing or hindering the constituted authorities of any State or Territory from giving or securing to all persons within such State or Territory the equal protection of the laws…. in any case of conspiracy set forth in this section, if one or more persons engaged therein do, or cause to be done, any act in furtherance of the object of such conspiracy, whereby another is injured in his person or property, or deprived of having and exercising any right or privilege of a citizen of the United States, the party so injured or deprived may have an action(lawsuit) for the recovery of damages (money) occasioned by such injury or deprivation, against any one or more of the conspirators.” This code is abbreviated 18 USC §241 Conspiracy against rights.
18 USC §242 Deprivation of rights under color of law – “Whoever, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom, willfully subjects any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District (or county, city, etc. – see implied law) to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or to different punishments, pains, or penalties, on account of such person being an alien, or by reason of his color, or race, than are prescribed for the punishment of citizens, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both….”
18 USC §872 Extortion – “Whoever, being an officer, or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof, or representing himself to be or assuming to act as such, under color or pretense of office or employment commits or attempts an act of extortion, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both; but if the amount so extorted or demanded does not exceed $1,000, he shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.” Note that extortion can be defined as, “The unlawful taking by an officer of the law, by color of his office, of any money or thing of value not due to him, or taking more than is due, or taking it before it is due. Bush v State, 19 Ariz 195, 168 P 508; 31 Am J2d Extort § 1. What did government officials sign off that was beyond their authority to sign away? Our rights!!!!
18 USC §1621 Perjury (of Oath) – “Whoever- (1) having taken an oath before a competent tribunal, officer, or person, in any case in which a law of the United States authorizes an oath to be administered, that he will testify, declare, depose, or certify truly, or that any written testimony, declaration, deposition, or certificate by him subscribed, is true, willfully and contrary to such oath states or subscribes any material matter which he does not believe to be true… is guilty of perjury and shall, except as otherwise expressly provided by law, be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. This section is applicable whether the statement or subscription is made within or without the United States.“
Although the original complaint only had to do with transgender rights, the upcoming filings deal with several issues, including siphoning tax dollars out of public schools into private religious institutions, gutting Medicaid and SNAP benefits, violating reproductive rights, and a class action for Des Moines’ homeless population. Each hyperlinked section will continue to be updated within the coming weeks before being submitted to the court as evidence.
I also filed racketeering charges against the Republican Party of Iowa and Republican National Committee.
You can follow Wilson et al v. Trump et al case here:
And here is a special section on restoring Iowa’s role as becoming a leader in civil rights:
There will be arrests, and we shall restore Due Process!
You don’t need to be an attorney to be able to read and understand the above statutes. They read plain as day. It is abundantly clear that Iowa’s lawmakers violated:
- Peoples’ right to receive medically necessary services, as guaranteed by the Medicare and Medicaid Act,
- Reproductive rights due to the passing of HF 732 aka “the Heartbeat Bill”, and
- Transgender peoples’ rights via passing Iowa Senate File 418, which removed legal protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act specifically so transgender people can be harassed (misgendered) and have their rights violated and then be left without redress. The Iowa Civil Rights Act is designed to protect minorities from discrimination in employment, housing (evictions without cause, which are already happening in Iowa), credit (bank loans), education (getting expelled for no reason), and public accommodations (accessing goods or services from any privately or publicly owned establishment that is open to the general public). This is not the first time I filed a class action against with regard to the State of Iowa cutting off access to Medicaid for transgender Iowans — last time was in the state courts. This time it’s federal.
As we know, government officials are very good about not holding each other accountable. Rob Sand appears to have no intention of prosecuting any of the Defendants. After all, the same people who financed his campaign paid a lot of money to help get the defendants in power, even when they knew the candidates were working to cut off Medicaid and violate the rights of Iowans.
As Governor, I will give the 90-something Republicans the opportunity to turn themselves in so that due process may commence, and I shall do everything in my power to prosecute them. I am not a tyrant — this is not about vengeance. It is about restoring the rule of law within the State of Iowa. Iowans need to decide: do we have a republic? Do we have a nation (or state, in this case) of laws, or is our entire system which promises “liberty and justice for all” nothing more than a pony show?
If the Defendants do not turn themselves in, I shall order Iowa’s executive branch to stand down so that Iowa Citizens may peaceably and calmly enter into the rooms where the Legislative Assemblies take place, and in accordance with Chapter 804 of the Iowa Code, Citizens will be able to make Citizen’s arrests upon the Defendants. No harassment — no excess force. This is about restoring the rule of law and ensuring Iowans access our inalienable rights to due process.
To equip Citizens with knowledge to lawfully perform a Citizen’s Arrest, I have put together the following kits, which you can order now to help support my campaign:
In addition to filing criminal charges, I filed several class actions:
Now that you’ve seen that m platform is centered around helping all Iowans, it is time to talk about the elephant in the room.
Page in making – please check back soon.
It would not be until more than a decade later that I would eventually learn that I was intersex. For me, learning that medical treatment was available was an absolute Godsend, as it was an opportunity to live a happier life – to no longer suffer being stuck “in the middle”.
The Lauridsens bankrolled Republicans who spent years attacking the rights and reputations of transgender Americans. Republicans cut off access to medically-necessary procedures for for transgender Iowans. With the $7 M used to fund Rob’s campaign, every surgery could have been paid for.
I was raised as a boy in Nevada, Iowa, and during puberty – without medical intervention – I grew breasts and other physiological characteristics typical of girls. This was an extremely confusing and shameful experience. Back in the 90s, the term “transgender” was not a well-known term, nor was it a hot button political topic as it has become today. It would not be until more than a decade later that I would eventually learn that I was intersex. For me, learning that medical treatment was available was an absolute Godsend, as it was an opportunity to live a happier life – to no longer suffer being stuck “in the middle”.
In 2022 – the same year Kim Reynolds was slandering transgender people while the State of Iowa, controlled by Republicans, was fighting in court to kick transgender Iowans off Medicaid (Vasquez v. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services) , the Lauridsens were funding them. For many transgender Iowans, the fact that the Lauridsens now gave Rob $7 M – an amount that could have easily paid for every surgery we can’t afford – the idea of voting for Rob is a nonstarter. The Lauridsens – as well as numerous Republicans across the state – owe Iowa’s transgender population more than an apology: they owe us restitution.
On Privilege and Power: Sondra is the Underdog
Screenshot from Rob Sand for Iowa Facebook page
(I’m wondering if any donors knew that on the day his campaign was announced, Iowa Dems finally have a progressive candidate to vote for, but so far — based on the amount of money well-intentioned Dems pumped into Rob’s Republican-backed campaign — it looks like Dems are instead backing the wrong horse.
We need Rob Sand as Auditor. We need a Governor who will enforce the law.
As Auditor, Rob has played a crucial role of being a much needed thorn-in-the-side of corrupt state officials. For example, in 2022 he demanded that Kim Reynolds should return the $450,000 intended for COVID relief which she allegedly misappropriated to pay for 21 governor’s office staff members (PBS). Being called out publicly like this seemed to upset Republicans, because shortly thereafter passed SF-478, a bill that Rob called “the most pro-corruption bill in Iowa history”, .
In his opening video released on his official Facebook campaign page, Rob Sand for Iowa, he pointed out several very respectable accomplishments he’s made as State Auditor, such as:
- As a criminal prosecutor, he went after violent crime, corruption, and uncovered the largest lottery-rigging scheme in American history;
- Created an efficiency program that saved so much money for taxpayers that it got copied in two other states;
- Took a solitary stand against tax dollars being used to pay for egregious sexual harassment settlements;
- Uncovered a record amount of “waste, fraud, and abuse”.
Rob seeks to placate Iowans who are being violated while coddling Republicans
After you know who funded his campaign, his vision for Iowa begins to fall apart. His campaign, which can perhaps best be followed via Facebook page , is largely built on emotional appeal. While Rob honestly seems like a very nice gentlemen who has performed exceptional work as State Auditor, he does not appear to have a concrete plan for the future of Iowa. Additionally, during a time when Republicans have flagrantly violated federal civil rights statutes, economically starved public schools, and
In his interview with the Des Moines Register, Rob stated that he wants an Iowa that is “Truer and better… not bluer or redder.”
Above photo image from Field of Dreams used in accordance with Fair Use Doctrine.
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References
All images used herein, including copyrighted images, are being utilized for legitimate First Amendment purposes in accordance with the Fair Use Doctrine.
Rob’s announcement: https://www.facebook.com/robsandia/videos/717053214318939
Featured image; photo of Rob Sand from Iowa Starting Line, as found on “Rob Sand for Iowa” Facebook page on May 14: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1141917864642209&set=pcb.1141918051308857
Iowa Starting Line. (May 12, 2025). Smith, Oren Zachary.
Iowa Starting Line. Democrat Rob Sand launches 2026 bid for Iowa Governor. https://iowastartingline.com/2025/05/12/democrat-rob-sand-launches-2026-bid-for-iowa-governor/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKatspleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF3bGd4MTVvMExFeWphV0hRAR6rLzijaQSCZlFgATAnZDHKFbveGwN11C-I5maguBW6e-4uFaK_nNYy0mJhrA_aem_s9I8CiQLCjXj0YIpZLd6gA
PBS. (May 1, 2022). Iowa Gov. Reynolds should return $450,000 in improperly spent COVID funds, says state auditor. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/iowa-gov-reynolds-should-return-450k-in-improperly-spent-covid-funds-says-state-auditor