Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand is trying to convince voters he represents a fresh direction, and he has made one point unmistakably clear.

He does not want Joe Biden or Kamala Harris showing up in Iowa to lend him a hand, as reported by Fox News.

During an interview with Politico's Jonathan Martin, the Iowa auditor of state was asked directly whether he would welcome the former president on the campaign trail.

Sand did not reach for the usual evasive language politicians use when party elders become political liabilities.

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When Martin asked whether Biden should campaign for him, Sand answered, "No. Can he even do that right now? I'm sorry."

That blunt response left little mystery about how Sand views the value of a Biden appearance.

Martin then asked whether Sand would want Harris to campaign for him. "No thanks," Sand replied, delivering another unmistakable rejection of the Democratic Party's most recent presidential ticket.

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Sand followed that dismissal with an even broader message about the party's future. "Let's move on. We need some new leadership."

For Democrats who spent years defending Biden and enthusiastically promoting Harris, Sand's remarks are an awkward admission.

The candidates who occupied the White House are apparently not considered useful messengers in a competitive Iowa race.

Martin also pressed Sand about whether Harris should seek the presidency in 2028, asking, "You don't think Harris should run in 2028?"

Sand's comments about new leadership certainly did not sound like an invitation for another Harris campaign.

Harris has not ruled out another run for the White House. When Al Sharpton asked her in April about the possibility of running again, Harris said, "I might" and added that she was "thinking about it."

Biden entered 2024 as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, but his campaign unraveled after a widely panned debate performance raised serious concerns about his ability to continue.

He later abandoned his reelection bid and endorsed Harris as his replacement.

Harris went on to lose the general election to Donald Trump, who returned to the White House after Democrats had insisted voters would rally behind their agenda.

Sand now appears eager to keep that losing ticket far from his own campaign.

Sand is running against Republican Zach Lahn in Iowa's 2026 gubernatorial contest.

Lahn has secured Trump's endorsement and is campaigning as an America First conservative in a state where the president has repeatedly demonstrated strong electoral support.

Trump announced his support for Lahn in a Truth Social post last month.

He wrote, "It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Zach Lahn, a tremendous Candidate running to be the next Governor of the Wonderful State of Iowa, a place I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024!"

That endorsement gives Lahn a powerful ally among Iowa Republicans and grassroots conservatives.

It also creates a striking contrast with Sand, who is publicly declining help from the two Democrats who most recently led his party's national ticket.

The race follows Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds' announcement that she would not seek reelection.

Her departure created an open contest for control of the governor's office and raised the stakes for both parties heading into 2026.

Sand is not the only Iowa Democrat keeping Harris at a safe political distance.

Democratic United States Senate candidate Josh Turek, who has received backing from former President Barack Obama, offered a similarly direct response.

Turek was asked, "Rob Sand was recently interviewed and asked if Kamala Harris should campaign for him; he flatly said no. What do you think?" His answer was simply, "No."

Those answers reveal the uncomfortable position facing Democrats in Iowa.

Biden and Harris remain two of the party's most recognizable figures, yet candidates on the ballot would apparently prefer that both remain somewhere other than the Hawkeye State.

Sand wants to sell voters on new Democratic leadership while escaping the baggage created by the old leadership.

Iowa voters will decide whether that attempted separation is convincing, or whether changing the campaign guests does nothing to change the party's policies.

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