Zach Nunn

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Zach Nunn
Rep. Zach Nunn official photo, 118th Congress (3x4).jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Iowa's 3rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Website House website
Campaign website
Military service
Branch
Service years2004–present
Rank Colonel
Unit 132nd Wing

Zachary Martin Nunn [1] (born May 4, 1979) is an American politician and United States Air Force officer who has served as the U.S. representative for Iowa's 3rd congressional district since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he was a member of the Iowa Senate for the 15th district from 2019 to 2023 and the Iowa House of Representatives for the 30th district from 2015 to 2019.

Contents

Nunn ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2022 to represent Iowa's 3rd congressional district, successfully defeating incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne. He was re-elected in 2024.

As of May 2, Nunn announced he was not running for governor, following Governor Reynolds' declaration that she was retiring. [2]

Early life and education

Nunn was born on May 4, 1979, in Story City, Iowa, and raised in Altoona. [3] He graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 1998. [3] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and international relations from Drake University in 2002. [3] [4] He earned a Master of Science in military operational art and science from the Air Command and Staff College at Air University in 2004 and a Master of Studies in international security from Selwyn College, Cambridge, in 2007. [4] [3]

Career

Early career

Nunn was a member of the United States Air Force and later the Iowa Air National Guard since 2004. [5] [4] In 2021, he held the rank of lieutenant colonel and was commander of the 233rd Intelligence Squadron, 132nd Wing, Iowa Air National Guard. [6] Nunn also worked as a cybersecurity consultant. [3] On June 11, 2024, Nunn was promoted to the rank of colonel. [7]

Nunn was a member of the research staff for Sir Peter Bottomley, a member of the British House of Commons, in 2002. He was a member of U.S. senator Chuck Grassley's legislative staff in 2004. [3] Nunn was later director of cybersecurity policy for the United States National Security Council during the Obama administration. [8]

Iowa Legislature

Nunn was a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. [4] [9] He was a member of the Iowa Senate beginning in 2019. [4]

U.S House of Representatives

Elections

2022

In 2021, Nunn announced his candidacy for Iowa's 3rd congressional district in the 2022 election against incumbent Cindy Axne, the only Democrat in Iowa's congressional delegation. [10] The 3rd district, which covers central Iowa, [11] became more rural and Republican-leaning after the 2020 redistricting cycle, [12] taking in nine new counties. [13] The race was considered among the nation's most competitive House races. [13] [14] Nunn was endorsed by Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, and Tom Cotton, [15] and easily won the June Republican primary election against two other candidates. [16]

Nunn won the 2022 election against Cindy Axne, with votes tallied at 156,237 (50.3%) to 154,084 (49.6%). [17]

2024

On Sunday, November 3, the Des Moines Register released the final Iowa Poll, which suggested that Iowans preferred the Democrat to the Republican at 48% to 41%. [18]

Nunn won a second term, proving the Iowa Poll wrong. [19] He defeated Democratic nominee Lanon Baccam, with votes tallied at 213,625 (51.9%) to 197,777 (48.1%). [20]

Tenure

In April 2025, Nunn introduced bipartisan legislation designed to combat scams targeting older Americans. The Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception Act, which is co-sponsored with Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey) and Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wisconsin), would give local law enforcement better access to tools to trace scammers' fraudulent activity. [21]

Nunn also introduced the Social Security Overpayment Relief Act, which would limit the ability of the Social Security Administration (SSA) to recover money overpaid due to errors on the part of the SSA. The SSA would no longer be able to demand repayment of over payments more than ten years old unless there is associated fraudulent activity. [22] [23]

In May 2025, Nunn, along with Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL), introduced the bipartisan HEALTH for MOM Act, which aims to expand access to maternal healthcare in areas lacking maternity care. [24] [25]

Committee assignments

For the 119th Congress: [26]

Political positions

Axios described Nunn as having "carved out a niche as a vocal moderate on key issues". [27]

Abortion

Nunn opposes abortion with exceptions, including life of the mother, rape, and incest. [28] [29] Nunn opposes a federal ban on abortion and believes this policy should be left up to the states. He has said that anyone should have access to tools to start a family, including IVF, fertility treatments, and adoption. [30] [31]

Infrastructure

Nunn opposes the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, and said there was far too much waste in the law. [32]

January 6

In an April 2022 appearance as a congressional candidate, Nunn said of the January 6 United States Capitol attack, "If a bunch of middle Americans can overwhelm our Capitol, and the Capitol police, who are funded to the tune of billions of dollars, can't stop a bunch of middle-aged individuals from walking onto the floor, we have a serious problem with our nation's security." He expressed disapproval of the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, terming it a "Nancy Pelosi committee determined to find someone that they can hang a noose around." [33]

Electoral history

2014

Iowa's 30th House of Representatives district primary election, 2014 [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Nunn 1,108 100.0
Total votes1,108 100.0
Iowa's 30th House of Representatives district general election, 2014 [35]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Nunn 7,323 56.00
Democratic Joe Riding (incumbent)5,73344.00
Total votes13,056 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

2016

Iowa's 30th House of Representatives district primary election, 2016 [36]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Nunn (incumbent) 553 100.0
Total votes553 100.0
Republican hold
Iowa's 30th House of Representatives district general election, 2016 [37]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Nunn (incumbent) 11,442 62.05
Democratic Joe Riding 6,99937.95
Total votes18,441 100.0
Republican hold

2018

Iowa's 15th Senate district primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Nunn
Total votes
Iowa's 15th Senate district general election, 2018 [38]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Nunn 16,988 57.0
Democratic Dan Nieland12,83043.0
Total votes29,818 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

2022

Iowa's 3rd congressional district Republican primary, 2022 [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Nunn 30,500 65.75
Republican Nicole Hasso8,99619.39
Republican Gary Leffler6,80214.66
Write-in 890.19
Total votes46,387 100.0
Iowa's 3rd congressional district general election, 2022 [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Nunn 156,262 50.26
Democratic Cindy Axne (incumbent)154,11749.57
Write-in 5340.17
Total votes310,913 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

2024

Iowa's 3rd congressional district Republican primary, 2024 [41]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Nunn (incumbent) 21,103 98.30
Write-in 3651.70
Total votes21,468 100.0
Iowa's 3rd congressional district general election, 2024 [42]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Zach Nunn (incumbent) 213,625 51.78
Democratic Lanon Baccam197,77747.93
Write-in 1,1970.29
Total votes412,599 100.0

Personal life

Nunn is married and has six children, including two who were adopted out of the foster care system. [43]

References

  1. ↑ "Rep. Zach Nunn − R Iowa, 3rd, In Office − Biography". LegiStorm . Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Rep. Zach Nunn taps out of Iowa gubernatorial race in 2026". weareiowa.com. May 2, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jonathan Krueger, Questionnaires: Iowa House District 30, The Des Moines Register (November 1, 2016).
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "State Senator Zach Nunn". Iowa Legislature. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Nunn Promoted to Colonel in United States Air Force". nunn.house.gov. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  6. ↑ "State senator and Iowa Air Guard member Zach Nunn to serve at Air War College". 185th Air Refueling Wing. July 21, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  7. ↑ Ryan Magalhães (June 12, 2024). "Rep. Zach Nunn promoted to colonel in the US Air Force after 20 years of service". Des Moines Register. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  8. ↑ "To pay or not to pay: Lessons from DMACC hack". Axios. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Zach Nunn". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  10. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Republican state Sen. Zach Nunn announces congressional campaign in Iowa's 3rd District". Des Moines Register. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  11. ↑ Campaign Almanac: Conservative group's ads target Rep. Axne, The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) (July 27, 2022).
  12. ↑ Robin Opsahl, Campaign finance reports show competition in Grassley, Axne races, Iowa Capital Dispatch (via Ottumwa Courier) (July 20, 2022).
  13. 1 2 O. Kay Henderson, Axne says she's ready for 'most watched' U.S. house race in country, Radio Iowa (June 8, 2022).
  14. ↑ Katie Akin, Iowa Poll: Voters prefer Republicans in 3 of 4 US House races — except in 3rd District, Des Moines Register (July 25, 2022).
  15. ↑ "Donald Trump endorses Republican running for Iowa's Third Congressional District". KCCI. July 8, 2022.
  16. ↑ Iowa's Sole Democratic House Member Faces a Tough Fight, Associated Press (June 8, 2022).
  17. ↑ "Zach Nunn defeats Cindy Axne with all counties reporting in Iowa's 3rd District". KCCI. November 11, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  18. ↑ Gruber-Miller, Stephen. "Iowa Poll: Democrats are preferred over Republicans in 2 of 4 congressional districts". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  19. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Pollster J. Ann Selzer: 'I'll be reviewing data' after Iowa Poll misses big Trump win". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  20. ↑ Gruber-Miller, Stephen. "Republican Zach Nunn defeats Lanon Baccam, wins reelection bid in Iowa's 3rd District". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  21. ↑ Martin, Sabine (April 22, 2025). "Zach Nunn proposes bipartisan legislation to combat 'pig butchering' scams targeting older Iowans". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  22. ↑ Nettingham, Shi-Quan (April 20, 2025). "Iowa Representative Zach Nunn Outlines Social Security Overpayment Relief Act". Raccoon Valley Radio - The One to Count On. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  23. ↑ Waddell, Melanie (March 13, 2025). "New Bill Limits Social Security Clawbacks to 10-Year Window". thinkadvisor.com. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Iowa congressman unveils bill to expand maternal health care access". KCCI. May 13, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  25. ↑ Snover, JD. "Iowa Rep. Nunn Backs Bill Aimed at Improving Maternal Health Access". Newsradio 1040 WHO. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Zachary Nunn". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
  27. ↑ Clayworth, Jason (June 4, 2024). "Lanon Baccam to take on GOP Rep. Zach Nunn after primary win". Axios Des Moines. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  28. ↑ Bowman, Beau (September 4, 2024). "Get the Facts: New political ad targets Rep. Zach Nunn's stance on abortion". KCCI. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  29. ↑ Opsahl, Robin (September 4, 2024). "Nunn pushes back on Baccam ad targeting abortion positions". Iowa Capital Dispatch. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  30. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Meet the 2 Democrats challenging Zach Nunn for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District seat". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  31. ↑ Rooker, Amanda (August 12, 2022). "Nunn pushes back on new Axne ad targeting his 'no exceptions' abortion stance". KCCI. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  32. ↑ writer, CHAD DRURY Courier staff (April 12, 2022). "Nunn focuses on urban-rural balance". Ottumwa Courier. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  33. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (April 28, 2022). "Iowa 3rd District GOP candidates express frustration at prosecution of Jan. 6 rioters". The Des Moines Register.
  34. ↑ "State of Iowa – Primary Election 2014 – Canvass Summary (06/03/2014)" (PDF). Secretary of State of Iowa. June 4, 2014. p. 162. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  35. ↑ "State of Iowa – General Election 2014 – Canvass Summary (11/04/2014)" (PDF). Secretary of State of Iowa. November 5, 2014. p. 139. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  36. ↑ "State of Iowa – Primary Election 2016 – Canvass Summary (06/07/2016)" (PDF). Secretary of State of Iowa. June 8, 2016. p. 127. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  37. ↑ "State of Iowa – General Election 2016 – Canvass Summary (11/08/2016)" (PDF). Secretary of State of Iowa. November 9, 2016. p. 94. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  38. ↑ "State of Iowa – General Election 2018 – Canvass Summary (11/06/2018)" (PDF). Secretary of State of Iowa. November 7, 2018. p. 71. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Primary Election June 7, 2022 | United States Representative District 3 – Republican". Iowa Secretary of State.
  40. ↑ "General Election November 8, 2022 | United States Representative District 3 – Republican". Iowa Secretary of State.
  41. ↑ "Primary Election June 4, 2024 | United States Representative District 3 – Republican". Iowa Secretary of State.
  42. ↑ "General Election November 5, 2024 | United States Representative District 3 – Republican". Iowa Secretary of State.
  43. ↑ "US Rep. Zach Nunn and his wife, Kelly, adopt their foster daughters". The Des Moines Register. April 5, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa's 3rd congressional district
2023–present		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
348th		Succeeded by
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