Sand will be Democratic candidate for governor
State Auditor Rob Sand will not face a Democratic primary challenge in June, after his would-be opponent failed to gather enough approved signatures (The Gazette). West Des Moines consultant Julia Stauch failed to gather at least 100 valid signatures in at least 19 counties, elections officials determined. Sand, the financial front-runner by far and also the Democratic Party favorite for the post, will face whomever wins the Republicans’ five-candidate primary June 2. Iowa has had a Republican governor for the last 15 years; Kim Reynolds, who succeeded Terry Branstad in 2017, announced last year she is retiring and will not seek re-election.
Central Iowa data center developments gets green light
NORWALK — A 282-acre data center is likely coming to central Iowa following the Norwalk City Council’s approval of a contract with a developer who also promises to fund water infrastructure (Data Center Dynamics). Residents had objected to the project, concerned it will increase water and electricity rates. City officials said they supported the project because of its promised $8 million investment in water infrastructure and streets, and because it would provide 600 construction jobs and an estimated 80 permanent jobs. Tract, based in Colorado and formed in 2023, is planning data centers in not only Iowa, but also Arizona, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
Survey: Iowans from both parties support tobacco, vape tax
Iowa politicians from both major parties spoke out Monday in support of a tobacco tax, as lawmakers continue to explore different ways to address Iowa’s troubling cancer rate (Iowa Capital Dispatch). Republican Rep. Brett Barker, a pharmacist from Nevada, and Democratic Rep. Austin Baeth, a doctor from Des Moines, led the news conference in support of increasing the tax. A new survey shows 66 percent of Iowans favor the tax, including 77% of Democrats, 65% of Republicans and 60% of independents. Iowa hasn’t increased its cigarette tax since 2007 and its smoking rate is higher than the national rate — 12.9 percent compared to the national rate of 9.9 percent — said physician Richard Deming.
