# Governor-Elect Rob Sand Announces Tripartisan Leadership Team | Iowa for All Source: https://www.iowaforall.com/news/governor-elect-rob-sand-announces-tripartisan-leadership-team/ Press release November 9, 2026 # Governor-Elect Rob Sand Announces Tripartisan Leadership Team **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** Media contact: [press@iowaforall.com](mailto:press@iowaforall.com) **DES MOINES, IA – **Today, Governor-Elect Rob Sand announced a tripartisan group of leaders who will support the incoming Sand-Muhlbauer administration with executing on their goal of serving all Iowans. Abe Rakov will serve as Chief of Staff in the Governor’s office, and former chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa Mike Mahaffey and independent state Representative Brian Lohse will serve as the Republican and independent co-chairs of the transition steering committee. “I’m thrilled to announce this tripartisan group of advisors who will work with me to help our administration do what we were elected to do: improve all Iowans’ lives,” **said Governor-Elect Rob Sand.** “Abe Rakov, Mike Mahaffey, and state Representative Brian Lohse bring decades of experience and knowledge across industries including state government, advocacy, and public service. They also bring unique perspectives that will challenge us to work together – exactly how state government should work. I look forward to working with this tripartisan group of public servants to get to work for the people of Iowa on day one.” “I am honored by the trust Governor-Elect Rob Sand has put in me to serve as Chief of Staff for the people of Iowa,” **said Abe Rakov. **“Throughout my career, I’ve gained invaluable experiences across sectors of public service, advocacy, and government that prepared me to take on this role, and am grateful for the trust Governor-Elect Sand and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Muhlbauer have put in me to help them get Iowa back on track. I look forward to getting to work to serve all Iowans across the state and working with Republicans, independents, and Democrats to get it done.” “Thank you to Governor-Elect Rob Sand for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Iowa as a member of the Sand-Muhlbauer transition steering committee,” **said State Representative and registered independent Brian Lohse. **“Over the course of my career in public service spanning two decades, I’ve learned that public service is more important than politics. Rob and I don’t agree on everything, and that’s a good thing. But we agree on the most important thing: Iowans should be put above politics. I look forward to working with Governor-Elect Sand and his administration to start working for the people of Iowa.” “It’s an honor to be selected to serve the Sand-Muhlbauer administration as part of the transition steering committee, and to work alongside these dedicated public servants on behalf of the people of Iowa,” **said Mike Mahaffey.** “The next four years in Iowa are very important in terms of addressing issues like water quality, rural revitalization, and agriculture. History shows us that governors and legislators of opposing parties can work together to deliver for Iowans. We don’t have time to lose on petty partisan politics, which is why I’m excited to get to work with Governor-Elect Rob Sand and the Sand-Muhlbauer administration for the people of Iowa.” This tripartisan leadership announcement on the heels of Gov.-Elect Sand [announcing](https://us.list-manage.com/rwWRYhMdQD0?e=bcbca7a656&c2id=493c734c03ff5ed963a69f1a94c09ab2) the selection of Morgan Miller and Elisabeth Buck as Transition Co-Directors. Together, this team will work to support Governor-Elect Rob Sand and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Dave Muhlbauer as they serve the people of Iowa in every corner of the state and of all political stripes in transition and government. Stay up to date on the Sand-Muhlbauer administration by visiting [IowaForAll.com](https://www.iowaforall.com/). **About Abe Rakov**: Abe Rakov has been an advisor to Governor-Elect Rob Sand since his first campaign for State Auditor, when Rakov moved to Des Moines as the executive director and co-founder of the national voting rights organization Let America Vote. Rakov previously served as the Deputy Secretary of State of Missouri and the Minority Staff Director of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee. During Rakov’s time in the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, as both Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff, he worked to vastly expand online business filing options and create programs to promote entrepreneurship, oversaw the state’s Securities Division that ordered the payment of more than $83 million in restitution, and helped move the state into the top 10 in election administration rankings. He also led a legislative portfolio that resulted in passing bipartisan bills that promoted entrepreneurship opportunities for veterans, prevented scam artists from draining Missouri seniors’ accounts through financial exploitation, expanded the Safe at Home address confidentiality program for survivors of domestic violence, and provided an exemption to family farm corporations from filing annual paperwork. More recently, he has worked as an independent consultant for nonprofit, foundation and political clients. He has been on the senior executive teams of multiple advocacy organizations, leading state and national coalition-building, policy, and communications campaigns. Rakov graduated from Northwestern University and has an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. He lives with his husband, Jake, and their rescue dog, Kip. **About State Representative Brian Lohse: **Representative Brian Lohse was elected as a Republican to the Iowa House of Representatives, representing Bondurant and the surrounding Polk County area in the Iowa House. He is now a registered independent. He was first elected in 2018, and previously served eight years on the Bondurant City Council and as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Bondurant. In the Iowa House, Representative Lohse advocated for strengthening Iowa’s economy, supporting public education, and advocating for better mental health resources. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, and a law degree from Drake University, and he practiced law before entering public office. He is also a small business owner, including a fitness facility, and owns rental properties. He is a longtime Bondurant resident who lives with his wife and their three children. He is a member of the Bondurant Federated Church. **About Mike Mahaffey**: Mike Mahaffey is a longtime figure in Iowa Republican politics, serving as chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa from 1987 to 1989. Mahaffey served as the Poweshiek County Attorney for 32 years. In 1996, Mahaffey was the Republican nominee for Iowa’s open 3rd Congressional District seat. He ran a campaign centered on balanced budgets, and accountability, and term limits. ### ### ## Share this release - - [Email](mailto:?body=https://www.iowaforall.com/news/governor-elect-rob-sand-announces-tripartisan-leadership-team/) - [X (opens X)](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://www.iowaforall.com/news/governor-elect-rob-sand-announces-tripartisan-leadership-team/) - [Facebook (opens Facebook)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.iowaforall.com/news/governor-elect-rob-sand-announces-tripartisan-leadership-team/) - [LinkedIn (opens LinkedIn)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://www.iowaforall.com/news/governor-elect-rob-sand-announces-tripartisan-leadership-team/) ## More news [All news](https://www.iowaforall.com/news/) Press release November 5, 2026 ### [Governor-Elect Rob Sand Announces Transition Directors, Launches Transition Website](https://www.iowaforall.com/news/governor-elect-rob-sand-announces-transition-directors-launches-transition/) IowaForAll.com will keep Iowans up-to-date on transition updates for incoming administration