Democratic nominee Rob Sand is promoting a moderate, independent image in Iowa's gubernatorial race while reportedly attending Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, a congregation known for its progressive stance on social issues. According to a local journalist, Sand regularly attended the Des Moines church as of late 2025, despite his campaign's emphasis on traditional values and his self-described independent voting record.
Sand has frequently cited his Christian faith on the campaign trail, quoting scripture to appeal to conservative voters. In a press release, one voter described Sand as honest and down-to-earth, noting that he votes for the person rather than the party. Sand has called political parties "poison" and claimed to have voted for Republicans in the past. A campaign spokeswoman stated that Sand attends church weekly in Iowa and prefers traditional services with liturgy and classic hymns, adding that he does not take moral lessons from his opponent, Republican nominee Zach Lahn.
The reference to Lahn alludes to FirmTech, a company that manufactures wearable sexual wellness devices and previously counted Lahn as an investor. Lahn maintains the product was originally developed for cardiovascular health monitoring and that he divested before the company shifted its marketing. Sand has also criticized Lahn for his regular flights to Kansas, arguing they demonstrate weak ties to Iowa. Lahn counters that he lives full time in Iowa and travels to shuttle children from a previous marriage between the two states. Lahn's campaign did not disclose where he attends church when asked by Fox News Digital.
Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ openly identifies as a progressive congregation. Its website states it has been an LGBTQ+ Open and Affirming congregation for more than 30 years and does not interpret the Bible literally. A profile by the United Church of Christ describes the church as a "progressive powerhouse" in the region, noting it flies a pride flag on its grounds. The church's job postings highlight its partnership with the Rainbow Faith Coalition, which asserts that LGBTQ+ identities are God-given and should not be barriers to participation in faith community activities, including children's programming.
The congregation has hosted various events featuring drag performers. In May 2025, Plymouth advertised a concert by drag queen Flamy Grant, whose catalog includes sexually explicit lyrics. Approximately one year later, the church promoted a drag event at a nearby church billed as a family-friendly karaoke fundraiser headlined by drag queen Tess Tura, who hosts a podcast discussing topics such as unprotected gay sex. In 2023, Plymouth invited transgender pastor Paula Stone Williams to serve as a guest pastor for one weekend. At the time of her visit, Williams had recently published the book "As a Woman: What I learned about power, sex, and the patriarchy after I transitioned."
The church also offers a sexuality education curriculum jointly published by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. Classes begin in first grade and address topics including sexuality, relationships, gender identity, and sexual health. Plymouth's political activism includes joining protests at the Iowa statehouse to support trans and gender nonconforming individuals. The church leadership participated in a pro-LGBTQ rally outside the statehouse and mobilized against pro-life legislation following the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. In May 2022, the congregation held a prayer vigil in support of abortion and rallied at the state capital in July 2023 to protest efforts to regulate abortion.
Lahn's campaign criticized Sand's association with the church. A spokesperson stated that teaching controversial material to schoolchildren aligns with Sand's liberal views and that his values do not reflect Iowa values.