Sandy has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Idaho, and has owned livestock businesses and a small hydroelectric project.
Sandy was chair of the University of Idaho College Republicans during the 1960s and later served as Vice Chairman of Idaho Republican Party.
He was appointed by Governor Phil Batt to serve District 22 in the Idaho Senate in 1995.
He served his assistant majority leader of the state Senate from 1996 - 2002.
[5][6] Sandy was unopposed for chair of the Idaho Republican Party in 2002.