Democrat Rob Sand has announced a bid for the open Iowa governor’s race. He is looking to break up a long streak of Republican leadership in the state after a surprise announcement from Republican Gov.

Rob Sand, Iowa’s elected state auditor and the only Democrat now holding a major political office in the state, said on Monday that he would run for governor next year, boosting his party’s hopes of gaining a policymaking foothold in a place that Republicans dominate.

Democratic state auditor Rob Sand is officially running for governor. He says his campaign will focus on bipartisanship, accountability and bringing Iowans relief from rising costs.