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Former Crawford County Sheriff Steinkuehler Endorses Rob Sand for Governor
(Crawford County, IA) Former Crawford County Sheriff Jim Steinkuehler is among a group of Iowa law enforcement and public safety officials backing Rob Sand in the 2026 race for governor.
Sand’s campaign announced the endorsements Monday as part of what it calls “Public Safety Leaders for Rob,” a coalition the campaign says includes 60 current and former law enforcement officers, prosecutors, firefighters, paramedics and other public safety officials from across Iowa.
Steinkuehler, a longtime Crawford County law enforcement official, said his experience in the field influenced his decision to support Sand. In a statement released by the campaign, Steinkuehler said he spent 26 years in law enforcement, including 16 years as Crawford County Sheriff, and cited Sand’s previous work as a prosecutor and his record on public corruption cases.
Crawford County records identify James R. Steinkuehler as sheriff as recently as April 2024. Official election records also show he was elected Crawford County Sheriff in 2008.
Other current and former Iowa officials included in Monday’s campaign announcement include Sac County Attorney Ben Smith, Polk County Sheriff Kevin Schneider, former Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson and several other sheriffs, county attorneys and law enforcement officials.
Sand currently serves as Iowa State Auditor. Before being elected to that office in 2018, he worked for seven years in the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, including as the state’s chief public corruption prosecutor.
Monday’s announcement was issued by Sand’s gubernatorial campaign as part of its effort to highlight support from members of Iowa’s public safety community.
