Iowa state senator announces congressional run against Republican Zach Nunn
Iowa state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D-West Des Moines) has announced her candidacy for the state’s 3rd Congressional District, which is currently held by Rep. Zach Nunn (R).
Iowa state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D-West Des Moines) has announced her candidacy for the state’s 3rd Congressional District, which is currently held by Rep. Zach Nunn (R).
During an interview with the Des Moines Register, Trone Garriot highlighted her tight victories in a Donald Trump-voting district, including against former Senate President Jake Chapman (R) in 2022, when she defeated him by 873 votes. Trone Garriott also retained her seat in 2024 against Republican challenger Mark Hanson by just 29 votes last November, while here district voted for Trump in the presidential election.
“I took on the state Senate president. He bullied teachers, and I stood up to him and I beat him,” Trone Garriott told the Des Moines Register. “I held onto my district in a really tough year for Democrats in 2024 because of how hard I’ve worked for my constituents and how I show up for the people and how I speak on their behalf in state government. And that is what I’ll be bringing to this race for Congress.”
Trone Garriott also accused Nunn of not keeping his promise to lower costs, along with him voting for a budget resolution in February that called for significant Medicaid cuts.
Nation Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Emily Tuttle released a statement after Trone Garriott’s announcement, accusing her of attempting to radicalize Iowa.
“Out of touch Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott is another activist attempting to radicalize Iowa – pushing a dangerous, extreme agenda that would raise costs, allow men in girls’ sports, and weaken public safety. Iowans want leaders who deliver commonsense results, and that’s exactly why they’ll send Zach Nunn back to Congress,” Tuttle said.
Nunn, who has held the seat since 2023, won reelection by a 51.8%-47.9% margin (or 15,784 votes) in 2024, and his district is expected to be competitive again in 2026. Nunn has not held an in-person town hall this year.
Heartland Signal encourages news organizations and content creators to use our content. You're welcome to republish this article for free as long as you follow our republishing guidelines.
Related Articles
Zach Nunn sticks to phone sessions as Trone Garriott holds open town halls
Iowa Rep. Zach Nunn swatted at a reporter’s phone when asked about rural hospital closures — after calling warnings about the issue a “myth” last year. Meanwhile, his Democratic opponent Sarah Trone Garriott is holding open town halls across all 21 counties, while Nunn opts for telephone sessions.
With Coleman absent, Kessler presses affordability and health card at Minnesota forum
Minnesota Senate District 48 DFL candidate Dan Kessler says health care is the one cost Minnesota can actually bring down. He made his case at a forum his opponent, Sen. Julia Coleman, didn’t attend.
Huizenga campaign spending at center of McCann’s MI-04 challenge
Democrat Sean McCann is making Rep. Bill Huizenga’s campaign spending, including $400,000 paid to his half-brother’s firm, the core of the MI-04 race.