Iowa Rep. Zach Nunn decides on reelection to swing seat after talk with Trump

Daniela Altimari, CQ-Roll Call on Jul 14, 2025

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After mulling a run for governor of Iowa, Republican Rep. Zach Nunn has decided to seek reelection to his Des Moines-centered swing seat, a development first announced by President Donald Trump.

“Just spoke to Great Combat Veteran Zach Nunn, and he is committed to the mission of, HOLDING THE MAJORITY,’’ Trump said on his Truth Social platform late Friday endorsing the congressman for a third term representing Iowa’s 3rd District. “He is a team player, with a tremendous future — And 100% MAGA.”

The Des Moines Register reported last week that Nunn, an Air Force veteran and former state lawmaker, was weighing a bid for the state’s open governorship after state Attorney General Brenna Bird had passed on the race. He had also, according to Inside Elections, contemplated decamping to the neighboring 4th District, a deep-red seat whose Republican incumbent Randy Feenstra is exploring a run for governor.

But following Trump’s announcement Friday, Nunn said on social media that he was “proud to have the president’s continued support, and even prouder to keep fighting for Iowa families in Congress.”

Emily Tuttle, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said Trump’s endorsement was “a sign of how important the seat is to retaining the House majority and also how invested the President is in helping us keep the House majority.’’

Nunn is expected to face a competitive reelection bid next year in a district Trump carried by 4 points last fall, according to calculations by The Downballot. (Nunn won reelection over Democrat Lanon Baccam by a similar margin.) Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the 2026 race Leans Republican.

Nunn was first elected to Congress in 2022, unseating Democrat Cindy Axne by fewer than 2,200 votes in the newly redrawn district.

Democrats say the 3rd District seat and others in Iowa could help the party gain the House next year. Candidates vying for the Democratic nomination include a pair of state legislators — former House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst and state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, an ordained Lutheran minister.

“Zach Nunn’s latest failed attempt to flee Iowa’s third congressional district makes it clear he’s terrified to have to defend his vote to slash Medicaid and give tax cuts to billionaires and his support for cost-raising tariffs,’’ said Katie Smith, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

House Democrats are also targeting two other Republican-held House seats in Iowa this cycle: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ 1st District in the southeastern part of the state and the neighboring 2nd District, held by Rep. Ashley Hinson.