DES MOINES, Iowa – State Senator Zach Nunn, R-Bondurant, won the Republican nomination in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. He will challenge U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, who was uncontested in the Democratic primary.
Nunn won 65.75 percent of the vote (30,502). Nicole Hasso of Johnston is a distant second with 19.39 percent of the vote (8,996), and Gary Leffler of West Des Moines is third with 14.67 percent of the vote (6,804).
Nunn represented eastern Polk County and Jasper County in the Iowa Senate; he served one term in the Iowa Senate after his election in 2018. Before that, he served two terms in the Iowa House of Representatives as House Majority Whip and Assistant Majority Leader from 2014 to 2018.
As a combat veteran, Nunn served as an airborne intelligence officer in the United States Air Force. After 9/11, he deployed three times to the Middle East and flew over 700 combat hours.
He was deployed stateside during the 2021 Iowa Legislative session. Nunn served on the White House’s National Security Council as Director of Cybersecurity and is a National Intelligence Service Medallion recipient for defense against foreign threats. He also served as legislative staff for U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, worked as a military legislative affairs officer for a 4-Star General, and has taught as an adjunct professor of cybersecurity and national policy at Drake University.
“I’m honored to be the Republican Nominee for Congress in Iowa’s Third Congressional District. I could not have done this without my hard-working team, grassroots supporters, and national advocates joining our mission,” Nunn said. “But the work has just begun. The Democrats will swoop into our district with money and influence in their desperate attempt to try to hold this seat. We must be ready and unite in our fight against the Biden/Pelosi agenda that Cindy Axne supports that is riddled with crushing inflation, record-high gas prices and rising crime. It’s time for IA-03 residents to have a voice in Washington who will fight for Iowa families, not their own political interests. If you feel the same, join my mission to flip IA-03.”
Since launching his campaign, Nunn has received vast and growing support from leaders in U.S. Congress, nationwide veteran coalitions, state legislative leaders, and top grassroots activists. He also secured a spot on the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Guns” program, meeting the fundraising requirements that identify the top U.S. House recruits for 2022.
The Republican primary in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District was the only contested primary in all four congressional districts.
In Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, will face State Rep. Christina Bohannan, D-Iowa City, in November
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, will be challenged by State Senator Liz Mathis, D-Hiawatha, in the newly drawn Iowa 2nd Congressional District.
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, will face Democrat Ryan Melton of Nevada and Liberty Caucus candidate Bryan Holder of Council Bluffs.
