U.S. House race · November 3, 2026
U.S. Representative, Iowa District 3
Represents the district in the U.S. House of Representatives, which writes federal laws, approves the federal budget and taxes, and oversees the executive branch.
2-year term. The district covers central and southwest Iowa, including Polk, Dallas, Madison and Wapello counties and the cities of Des Moines and Ottumwa. A judge ruled on Aug. 28, 2026, that Libertarian replacement nominee Jake Heard cannot appear on the ballot, so only two candidates are listed.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name.
Sarah Trone Garriott
State Senator, Iowa Senate District 14Sarah Trone Garriott is a Lutheran pastor and interfaith leader who has served in the Iowa Senate since 2021. Her campaign focuses on health care costs, ethics rules for Congress, reproductive rights and lowering everyday costs.
Zach Nunn
U.S. Representative, Iowa District 3 (since 2023)Zach Nunn is an Air Force Reserve colonel and former Iowa state legislator seeking a third term in the U.S. House. His campaign emphasizes government spending, border security and law enforcement, agriculture and support for families.
Compare on the issues
Summaries of each candidate's stated positions. See each profile for sources and details.
| Issue | Sarah Trone Garriott Democratic | Zach Nunn Republican |
|---|---|---|
| Abortion | Supports restoring nationwide abortion protections and protecting access to contraception and IVF. | Describes himself as "a recognized pro-life leader" and supports simplifying the adoption process. |
| Economy & Jobs | Supports expanding the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, paid family and medical leave, and ending tariff policies she says raise prices. | Says government spending drives inflation and calls for reining in federal bureaucracy and ending "tax-and-spend policies." |
| Immigration | Supports comprehensive immigration reform, border security, protections for people brought to the U.S. as children, and accountability for ICE. | Supports law enforcement and border security, and says he helped pass border security legislation aimed at drugs and human trafficking. |
| Agriculture | No public position found yet | Supports passing a Farm Bill and strong support for renewable fuels. |
| Elections & Democracy | Supports a full ban on stock trading by members of Congress, a 12-year cap on congressional service, a nationwide ban on partisan gerrymandering and overturning Citizens United. | No public position found yet |
| Foreign Policy | No public position found yet | Voted against a March 2026 war powers resolution on Iran; said the president acted within constitutional authority used by leaders of both parties. |
| Health Care | Supports extending ACA tax credits, reversing Medicaid cuts in the 2025 reconciliation law, letting Medicare negotiate drug prices and more support for rural providers. | No public position found yet |