No men in women’s sports, says Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate

Iowa’s state auditor, who is a Democrat candidate for governor, has come out against male transgender athletes playing in women’s sports.

When a local radio host asked Rob Sand whether it should be allowed, he said, “No.”

However, Sand wouldn’t elaborate, saying, “I think a lot of those social issues are really distractions from the pocketbook stuff that’s making Iowans hurt.”

People who disagree shouldn’t let this issue determine their vote, according to Sand, who seemed to recognize his position could lead to criticism from some on the left. 

“There’s an old saying: If you agree with someone on seven out of 12 issues, vote for them. If you agree with someone on 12 out of 12 issues, see a psychiatrist,” he later told reporters. 

Most Americans agree with Sand on this issue. 

A January New York Times poll found 79% of Americans oppose letting males compete in women’s sports, while only 18% support it. Meanwhile, an April 2025 NBC News poll found 75% of Americans oppose it, while only 25% support it. The NBC poll also found broad opposition across age groups and both sexes. 

Iowa is one of over 30 states that ban male transgender athletes from competing in girls’ interscholastic sports. 

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to withhold funding from states allowing males to compete in women’s sports.  

In response, high school athletic bodies in Virginia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nebraska announced they would no longer allow male transgender athletes to compete against girls. Additionally, Georgia enacted a law banning the practice this year.  

Meanwhile, the NCAA has barred biological males from women’s competitions in response to Trump’s order.  

Male athletes won at least nine girls’ state championships during the 2024-25 school year, The Lion previously reported. Those titles came in field hockey, gymnastics, track and softball.