(The Center Square) — Competitive races across Iowa are expected to determine partisan control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, where candidates are divided among affordability concerns, farming and tax policies.
Incumbent Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, is facing Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott in one of the tightest congressional elections in the country, according to most forecasters. The Cook Political Report ranks Iowa’s third congressional district as a “toss up,” which means either party has a good chance of winning.
The rising unpopularity of President Donald Trump and the U.S. conflict with Iran has driven Republicans, including Nunn, from associating with the larger party. Nunn broke with the majority of Republicans on Sept. 16 when he voted in favor of a war powers resolution that would limit Trump’s military efforts in Iran.
Additionally, Nunn introduced legislation to ban foreign beef imports into the United States, an idea proposed by Trump.
“Lowering beef prices for Iowa families and supporting our cattle producers should go hand-in-hand,” Nunn said. “If we want more affordable beef for the long term, we need more American beef being raised and produced here at home.”
Trone Garriott has made opposition to the Trump administration’s tariff policies central to her campaign against Nunn. She estimated tariff policies cost Iowa families $600 more per year and erased $2.1 billion in farm income.
“Iowa farmers are getting squeezed from every direction: fertilizer and diesel costs spiking from the Iran war, trade wars compounding the downturn, and monopolies price-gouging,” Trone Garriott wrote on social media.
She proposed increasing the federal minimum wage, expanding the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit.
“I’m committed to lowering costs in real, meaningful ways,” Trone Garriott’s website reads. “This includes cracking down on corporate price gouging and ending the reckless tariff policy that is raising prices on ordinary families and wreaking havoc on Iowa’s economy.”
Nunn voted for the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which included a slew of tax-cut measures and work requirements for people who receive Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance.
“The largest tax cut in American history means a waitress keeps her tips, a nurse or a cop keeps their overtime, and a senior keeps more of their Social Security. That's real money staying in Iowa,” Nunn wrote on social media.
Trone Garriott slammed Nunn’s vote in favor of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and vowed to reverse cuts made to Medicaid and other welfare programs. She said cuts to the programs have shuttered rural hospitals in Iowa.
“Thousands of my neighbors in rural communities are now having to drive over an hour just to see a doctor,” Trone Garriott said in an interview. “As a hospital chaplain, I know how important it is for my neighbors to get the health care they need.”
Trone Garriott has vowed to pass legislation that would lower taxes for Iowa citizens. She touted her record voting alongside Republicans in the Iowa Senate to cap property tax bills and raise exemptions for seniors, veterans and homeowners.
“In Congress, I’ll vote to lower taxes and I’ll work with anyone to do it,” Trone Garriott said in an advertisement. “I care about lower costs, and definitely lower taxes.”
However, Nunn has attacked her record on tax legislation and accused Trone Garriott of raising taxes during her tenure in the state Senate. He said Trone Garriott voted against legislation to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving SNAP and other welfare program benefits.
Trone Garriott has a significant fundraising lead over Nunn with $5.2 million in contributions compared to the incumbent congressman with $4.8 million. She even has more cash on hand with $3.8 million compared to Nunn’s $3.5 million.
Trone Garriott received$21,637 over the last year from JStreetPAC, a group to support congressional candidates in favor of Israel. She also received $6,000 from the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and $5,000 from the Communication Workers of America.
Nunn received$81,000 from the American-Israel Public Affairs Committe, $14,000 from the Republican Jewish Coalition PAC and $3,000 from the Morgan Stanley PAC.
Voters in Iowa must request a mail-in absentee ballot by Oct. 19. Early in-person voting is available from Oct. 14 to Nov. 2. Polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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