Sand stands firm on no endorsement

Probably the best and most appropriate way to talk about auditing with a bunch of teen-aged Iowans at 8 o’clock on a Tuesday morning may be with a slice of Casey’s breakfast pizza in-hand.

This is exactly how Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand spoke with students in Tyler Stewart’s civics class at Berg Middle School.

There was plenty of pizza to go around, too, and Sand made sure to pass boxes around to still-hungry students. In between bites of Iowa’s famous gas station ‘zza, Sand answered questions about his role as state auditor.

Berg students are used to political figures stopping by their classroom for quick Q&As and discussions about topical issues. Former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke made an appearance in May 2019. Republican presidential candidate and former Mass. Gov. Bill Weld visited earlier this month, as did Iowa Congressional candidate Rita Hart.

So Tuesday morning was no different; business as usual for Stewart and his middle school students. In fact, one student pressed Sand to announce his endorsement for president. The state auditor later acknowledged the encounter on Twitter. Spoiler alert: Sand didn’t budge.

The student prefaced all three Democratic members of the Iowa congressional delegations have endorsed candidates for president. Indeed, Dave Loebsack has endorsed former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg while Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer have endorsed former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

“However, your endorsement appears to be the endorsement every candidate wants,” the student said. “Do you plan on endorsing a candidate for president ahead of the Iowa caucuses? If so, could you make that announcement today in our classroom, breaking the news?”

Sand smiled. “That is a great question,” he said. “If so, that would be a really fun way to break the news. But I’m not planning on making one.”

Sure, something could always happen in the next few days that would change his mind, Sand added, but for now the students and the rest of the state will have to wait until caucus night. Sand said endorsements “barely” matter, Clay Masters of Iowa Public Radio reported earlier this month.

“I like public service more than the politics side of politics,” Sand, a registered Democrat, told Berg students. “Do you know what I mean? I’m here to be state auditor and to work on government efficiency and work on fighting corruption. I’m less excited about picking sides in a primary.”

Still, he added, “I’m going to support whoever the Democratic nominee is.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com