Des Moines, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) — The race for Iowa governor is shifting into high gear following last week’s primary.

Democratic nominee Rob Sand announced today that his running mate for lieutenant governor will be Dave Muhlbauer, a fifth-generation family farmer, cattleman, and current Crawford County Supervisor from Manilla, just south of Denison.

The pick brings a heavy dose of rural western Iowa roots to the ticket. Muhlbauer comes from a long line of local public service—both his father and grandfather previously served as county supervisors and state legislators.

The Sand-Muhlbauer ticket now heads into a toss-up general election against Republican nominee Zach Lahn who is running an aggressive anti-establishment campaign targeting big agriculture and data center expansions.

The race has quickly turned personal, with Sand targeting Lahn’s residency.

Reports show Lahn flies to Kansas weekly to visit children from a previous marriage.

Lahn’s campaign fired back, calling Lahn a sixth-generation Iowan who tells the truth about his complicated blended family. Lahn and other Republicans accuse Sand of masquerading as a moderate.