SIOUX CENTER, Iowa—Rob Sand looks like a Democrat that party strategists might have designed in a political laboratory to win over the Republicans who have come to dominate this red state in the populist era defined by President Donald Trump.

The rugged, if clean-cut, Democratic nominee for Iowa governor prefers summer button-down shirts with flannel patterns, no-frills blue jeans or khakis, and casual brown lace-up footwear.

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The rugged, if clean-cut, Democratic nominee for Iowa governor prefers summer button-down shirts with flannel patterns, no-frills blue jeans or khakis, and casual brown lace-up footwear.

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