The Democratic nominee for Iowa governor is significantly outraising the GOP nominee in a state in which Republicans have dominated the political landscape in the past decade.

In their first fundraising report since the June 2 primary election, Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand announced raising nearly $9.4 million, bringing his total fundraising for the election cycle to a record-breaking $37.8 million.

Republican nominee Zach Lahn notched about $6.4 million in total fundraising — a figure that was buoyed significantly by major donations from the Republican Governors Association. The national group has given $5 million directly to Lahn's campaign since the primary, and it has paid for another $15,000 in advertising on his behalf.

The reports, which were due July 20, cover the fundraising period between May 27 and July 14.

The disclosures provide a glimpse at how the candidates are operating as they move into a phase of campaigning that will require them to spend significantly to increase their statewide name ID, communicate through television ads and other direct voter outreach, host events and more.

Sand has about $18 million in the bank that he can put toward those efforts. Lahn has just more than $1 million.

In a release, the Sand campaign said it received more than 33,500 contributions for an average donation of $164.The campaign said 2,400 donations came from registered Republicans and 68% came from Iowans.

The Democratic Governors Association chipped in for Sand, giving him $2.5 million.

Republicans have heavily criticized Sand for relying on donations from his wife, Christine, and wealthy in-laws, the Lauridsens, who have given about $11.5 million to his campaign. But they did not make any donations during the most recent reporting disclosure period.

During the primary, Lahn self-financed a large portion of his campaign, loaning himself $2.5 million. He said in a July 10 interview on Iowa Press that he doesn't believe he'll need to continue funding his general election campaign himself.

"We've seen an outpouring of support from contributors from across the state, and we believe that's going to continue as we go hold more events," he said.

Lahn received $130,000 from the Republican Party of Iowa, as well as checks from some Iowa GOP stalwarts such as former Gov. Terry Branstad ($5,000); U.S. Assistant Secretary of Postsecondary Education David Barker ($50,000) and Brownells CEO Pete Brownell ($10,000).

Zach Lahn, Republican

Rob Sand, Democrat

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She writes about campaigns, elections and the Iowa Caucuses. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or (515) 284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Democrat governor candidate Rob Sand widens cash lead in deep-red Iowa