Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott defeats incumbent Zach Nunn in Iowa’s 3rd District

Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District will have a Democratic representative as state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott won the district over Republican incumbent Zach Nunn, according to preliminary results from the Associated Press.

Preliminary results from the AP show Trone Garriott pulled in 55% of the vote to 45% for Nunn, with 92% of precincts reporting.

Trone Garriott, who joined Iowa Democrats at a watch party in Des Moines, said that Iowans have “so much common ground” and she plans to “build on that common ground for a strong future.” 

“We are bringing change for everyone,” Trone Garriott said. “To restore healthcare, to lower costs, to stop these tariffs, to end this war. We did this to take on the corruption that is at the heart of the problem costing us so much, and make Washington accountable to the people, because we know that powerful things are possible when we show up on our common ground and we work really hard and we work together.” 

Trone Garriott, a pastor and state senator since 2020, thanked Nunn for his service to the country and to the state of Iowa. 

She said there are “significant” challenges ahead, but “the hope we have is stronger; the love we have for our neighbors is so much more powerful.”

Trone Garriott has said her priorities include lowering healthcare costs for Iowans by undoing portions of the Republican-led “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act and by working to restore expired tax subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. 

Speaking at the Iowa GOP watch party in Des Moines, Nunn said he is proud of the accomplishments he made while in office and for winning the “hardest district in the state.”

Nunn defeated Democratic incumbent Cindy Axne in 2022. Trone Garriott’s win returns the district with Iowa’s most populous city to Democratic representation. 

Nunn highlighted legislation he advanced while in office to help military families and access to housing, along with funding he secured for infrastructure like rural water systems, streets and bridges.

Nunn, who is a combat veteran from the Des Moines area, and continues to serve as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, thanked his family repeatedly for their support.

“There are certain things I’m going to miss about fighting for Iowa, but I’m not going to miss being gone three or four times a week,” Nunn said while looking to his family on stage.

Nunn said he called Trone Garriott to congratulate her on the win. 

“Across the board, we have helped deliver for our community, for our families, and most importantly, for our country,” Nunn said. “And I challenge anybody else who takes this seat to do just as good, and hopefully better – but I’m proud of the very high bar we set.”