Fox News spotlights Iowa Democrat Rob Sand's progressive church
Rob Sand, Iowa's Democratic gubernatorial nominee, regularly attends a UCC church that hosts drag performances, a transgender pastor and backs abortion, contradicting his moderate campaign image.
Rob Sand, the Democratic candidate for Iowa governor, has been attending a church that openly supports drag shows, a transgender pastor and abortion. The contrast between his moderate campaign branding and the church’s progressive stance raises questions for voters.
Rob Sand, the Democratic nominee for Iowa governor, regularly attends Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, a congregation that calls itself LGBTQ+ "Open and Affirming" and that, according to Fox News Digital, has hosted drag performances, a transgender guest pastor and abortion-rights events. Fox News contrasted the church with Sand's campaign image as a moderate, scripture-quoting Christian.
According to Fox News, a local journalist confirmed Sand’s regular attendance at the church as of late 2025. The church’s own promotional material shows a pride flag flying over its grounds and an image of members at a gay‑pride parade, underscoring its progressive reputation. Sand’s campaign spokeswoman told Fox News Digital that his faith is “deeply important” but that he “has never found a church where he agrees with everything, but does prefer traditional services with liturgy and classic hymns.”
What we know
The Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ has been an LGBTQ+ Open and Affirming congregation for more than 30 years. Its public profile emphasizes a non‑literal interpretation of the Bible and a history of hosting events that many conservatives consider controversial, such as drag‑queen performances and the invitation of a transgender pastor as a guest speaker.
Sand has repeatedly highlighted his Christian faith in campaign ads, quoting scripture and positioning himself as a conservative who votes for people, not parties. He has claimed to have voted for Republicans in the past and described political parties as “poison.” A voter quoted in a Sand press release said, “I am a Christian. I’m a conservative. But I’m not a party‑based person,” adding that Sand “just seems really honest and down to earth.”
I am a Christian. I’m a conservative. But I’m not a party‑based person.
Sand’s opponent, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Zach Lahn, has avoided commenting on his own church attendance. Lahn’s campaign declined to disclose where he worships when asked by Fox News Digital. The race has also featured a side‑note about Lahn’s former investment in FirmTech, a company that makes wearable sexual‑wellness devices, which Sand’s spokeswoman dismissed by referencing a “sex toy salesman” comment.
Rob has always been independent‑minded, and he isn’t going to take lessons in morality from a sex toy salesman who lives in Kansas.
Sources
File photo: Rob Sand for Governor / Wikimedia Commons, CC0