DES MOINES, Iowa – Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) on Monday announced its endorsement of two congressional candidates, U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, who seeks re-election in the newly drawn Iowa 1st Congressional District, and State Senator Zach Nunn, R-Bondurant, running in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.
AFP Action said both candidates have shown active leadership on key issues and if elected and re-elected, “will work to build broad-based policy coalitions to break barriers standing in the way of individual prosperity.”
“Since assuming office in 2021, Representative Miller-Meeks has distinguished herself as a principled leader who puts people over politics. Today, it is even more essential that we have a leader in Washington who will stand up for Iowa families and lead the way toward more economic opportunity, making it easier for businesses to thrive and create jobs. Our activists are excited to hit the ground running to help re-elect Rep. Miller-Meeks to Iowa’s 1st Congressional district,” Drew Klein, a senior advisor for the group who is based in Iowa, said in a released statement.
Miller-Meeks does have a primary challenger, Kyle Kuehl of Bettendorf, who is challenging her for the Republican nomination. State Rep. Christina Bohannon, D-Iowa City, is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Miller-Meeks in the general election.
The specifically pointed to Miller-Meeks record opposing changes to federal labor laws that would have overturned Iowa’s right-to-work law and her record as state senator addressing the overregulation of occupations and support of regulatory flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They also lauded her support of the Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2021 that expanded health care access for veterans and working for greater accountability for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs following a 2014 scandal hindered veterans’ ability to receive the quality of care they deserve.
AFP Action also pointed out Miller-Meeks’ support for criminal justice reform as a state senator including the restoration of voting rights for former prisoners who discharged their sentence, expanding employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated Iowans. They also pointed out her support of legislation as a member of Congress that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Justice from monitoring certain attorney-client privileged communication.
“State Senator Nunn is an experienced lawmaker who has earned AFP Action’s support for his dedication to getting Iowa’s economy back on track, reducing regulatory barriers standing in the way of businesses and individuals growing, and reforming our criminal justice system. Sen. Nunn is the leader we need in Washington, and we couldn’t be more excited to throw our full support behind an exceptional candidate,” Klein stated.
Nunn is in a four-way primary with Nicole Hasso of Johnston, former State Rep. Mary Ann Hanusa of Council Bluffs, and Gary Leffler of West Des Moines for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, in the general election.
AFP Action said Nunn “championed smart fiscal policies that lowered taxes for Iowa families and businesses” pointing out his support of a bill in 2019 that would require a super majority vote to raise property taxes by more than two percent. He also opposed increasing the state’s gas tax in 2015.
They also cited his votes for “smart spending cuts” in 2018, calling for a review system of executive branch projects in 2017 that would determine if they were being run efficiently and effectively, and in 2015 Nunn voted for a zero-based budgeting system.
AFP Action also pointed out Nunn’s support of criminal justice reform as a state senator by support legislation that would eliminate occupational licensing restrictions for former prisoners who were incarcerated for non-violent offenses. When he was in the Iowa House of Representatives, AFP Action said was the primary sponsor for legislation that reduced mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug-related crime and supported civil asset forfeiture reform that set a limit on the value of property law enforcement could seize prior to a court hearing.
AFP Action also pointed out Nunn’s support of reducing regulations for businesses such as voting for legislation that allowed certain businesses to operate in remote locations. He also supported allowing reciprocity for workers with out-of-state licenses while waiving initial licensing fees for those earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
