FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: press@iowaforall.com
DES MOINES, IA – Today, Governor-Elect Rob Sand announced that Lanon Baccam will serve as Inauguration Director for the official Sand-Muhlbauer inauguration, overseeing the planning and coordination of inaugural events ahead of the new administration taking office in January. Inauguration services will be held on January 15 through January 17, 2027.
“I am proud to have Lanon Baccam leading our inauguration efforts as we prepare to begin a new chapter for Iowa,” said Governor-Elect Rob Sand. “Lanon is a dedicated public servant who understands the importance of bringing people together. I know he will help us put together an inauguration that reflects the values of our state and celebrates all Iowans. I’m excited to have him on our team as we prepare to get to work for the people of Iowa.”
“It’s an honor to serve Governor-Elect Rob Sand and the people of Iowa as Director of the Sand-Muhlbauer inauguration,” said Lanon Baccam. “Throughout my career in the Army and in public service to our state and country, I’ve learned that leadership is about bringing people together, regardless of party, to serve our communities. I’m excited to work with Governor-Elect Sand and his administration on planning a successful and historic inauguration that marks a new chapter for our state.”
This announcement follows Governor-Elect Sand selecting Abe Rakov as his Chief of Staff, and former chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa Mike Mahaffey and independent state Representative Brian Lohse as co-chairs of his tripartisan transition steering committee. Additionally, Governor-Elect Sand has named Elisabeth Buck and Morgan Miller as Co-Directors of the transition.
Stay up to date on the Sand-Muhlbauer administration by visiting IowaForAll.com.
About Lanon Baccam: Lanon Baccam is a combat veteran, public servant, and son of rural Iowa. Baccam’s parents came to Iowa as Tai Dam refugees from Laos in 1980, and he was born and raised in Mount Pleasant. Baccam enlisted in the Iowa National Guard at 17. In the wake of 9/11, he was activated and deployed to Afghanistan as a combat engineer, focused on explosive demolitions and force protection in and around Kandahar.
Following his service in the Army, Baccam graduated from Drake University and later served in both the Obama and Biden administrations at the U.S. Department of Agriculture under former Governor and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. There he worked to support veterans, expand pathways to jobs in the agriculture industry, and helped implement historic bipartisan investments, like expanding access to high speed internet throughout rural America.
Baccam was the 2024 Democratic nominee for Congress in Iowa’s third district. He lives in Des Moines with his wife and daughter.
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