Iowa’s Democratic nominee for governor and state auditor Rob Sand has directly stated that Kamala Harris should not run for president in 2028, delivering a blunt message to the party amid growing concerns over her potential comeback.

Sand, who is seeking to become Iowa’s first Democrat elected as governor in two decades, was asked whether he would support Harris running again in the 2028 election. His response was unequivocal: “Nope.”

The question came during an interview with a reporter, and Sand also rejected the idea of having either Harris or President Joe Biden campaign alongside him in Iowa. He emphasized that Democrats need new leadership and it is time to move on.

Sand’s remarks come as Harris has remained near the top of early Democratic primary polling despite losing the 2024 election to Donald Trump. While she has publicly acknowledged considering another presidential run, Sand’s answer represents a direct rejection of her candidacy from a prominent Democratic figure facing actual voters in a key state.

The candidate, who has focused his campaign on civility and local issues, urged Iowa voters not to demonize his Republican opponent, calling for respectful debate.