U.S. House — Iowa 3rd District 2026

About the Office

A U.S. Representative serves a two-year term in the U.S. House, representing approximately 770,000 Iowans in their district. The House has 435 voting members, who write and pass federal legislation, control federal spending and taxes, conduct oversight of federal agencies, and have sole authority to initiate impeachment proceedings.

In plain terms: your House member is your direct voice in federal lawmaking, casts one of 435 votes on every federal law, and handles constituent casework with federal agencies like Social Security, Medicare, the VA, and immigration services.

The District

Iowa 3rd Congressional District (Central & Southwest Iowa)

Covers 21 counties anchored by the Des Moines metro and extending south to the Missouri border. Cook PVI: R+3. Rated a toss-up; a top Democratic target for 2026.

Race at a Glance

Incumbent

Nunn (R)

Cook PVI

R+3

2024 Margin

~52% Nunn

Election Day

Nov 3, 2026

Nunn flipped this seat in 2022 by 2,153 votes against incumbent Cindy Axne, then expanded his margin in 2024. The DCCC has named this a top "District in Play." Trone Garriott has flipped two Republican-held Iowa Senate seats.

The Candidates

Each candidate's positions are drawn from primary sources: campaign communications, voting records, debates, and direct interviews.

Zach Nunn (R)

Republican incumbent · U.S. Representative since 2023 · Air Force Reserve Colonel

Bio

Born 1979 in Story City, Iowa. Lives in Bondurant. Drake University B.A.; Air Command and Staff College M.S.; Cambridge University M.St. Married to Kelly Nunn; six children including two adopted foster sisters.

Career

Nearly two decades in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, currently a Colonel. Three combat deployments. Former Director of Cybersecurity at the White House National Security Council. Iowa House 2015-2019; Iowa Senate 2019-2023; U.S. House since 2023.

Primary Issues

Border Security

Top stated priority. Strong supporter of expanded federal border enforcement.

Energy Independence & Biofuels

Strong supporter of domestic energy production and year-round E15. Sponsored Renewable Fuels Month resolution.

China Policy

Serves on the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with the CCP. Strong China hawk.

Position on Trone Garriott's Priority Issues

One Big Beautiful Bill / Medicaid Cuts

Voted for the bill. Frames Medicaid changes as anti-fraud measures.

Reproductive Rights

Pro-life with exceptions (rape, incest, life of mother). Opposes federal abortion ban; supports state-by-state approach. Supports IVF access.

Trump Tariffs

Generally supportive of Trump trade policy.

Endorsements

House Republican Conference
Republican Party of Iowa

Sarah Trone Garriott (D)

Democratic nominee · Iowa State Senator · ELCA Lutheran Minister

Bio

Born 1978 in Minneapolis. Raised in Cloquet, Minnesota. Lives in West Des Moines. College of St. Scholastica B.A.; Harvard Divinity School M.T.S.; Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago M.Div. Married to William Garriott (Drake professor); two sons.

Career

Hospital chaplain at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia) and Lurie Children's Hospital (Chicago). Lutheran pastor in Bergton, Virginia, then Faith Lutheran in Clive, Iowa. Currently Coordinator of Interfaith Engagement at the Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry Network. Iowa Senate since 2021 — flipped two Republican-held seats (2020, 2022) and won a Trump-won district in 2024.

Primary Issues

Lowering Costs for Iowa Families

Top campaign theme. Focus on healthcare, prescription drug, child care, and housing costs.

Reproductive Freedom

Central campaign theme. Decided to run for state senate after her state senator didn't know what an ectopic pregnancy was. Strongly supports federal codification of abortion rights.

Protecting Social Security & Medicaid

Strongly opposes the One Big Beautiful Bill Act; argues it is "already closing rural clinics in [Nunn's] district."

Position on Nunn's Priority Issues

Border Security

Position not central to campaign; supports comprehensive immigration reform.

Trump Tariffs

Strongly opposes; argues they hurt Iowa farmers and consumers.

Energy Policy

Supports renewable energy expansion and Iowa's wind energy industry; supports biofuels.