Campaign Almanac: Iowa House Democrats’ new leader endorses Trone Garriott for Congress

DES MOINES — The new leader for Iowa House Democrats is endorsing his predecessor’s competition in a central Iowa congressional campaign.

Iowa House Minority Leader Brian Meyer, D-Des Moines, is endorsing Sarah Trone Garriott, a state senator from West Des Moines, in central Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.

Also campaigning in the 3rd District Democratic primary is state legislator Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, who preceded Meyer as Iowa House minority leader.

Trone Garriott and Konfrst are seeking their party’s nomination to challenge Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn.

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“The stakes in this election could not be higher. We need a nominee who knows how to win tough races in Republican districts and who understands the cost-of-living crisis facing Iowa families. That’s Sarah Trone Garriott,” Meyer said in a press release from the Trone Garriott campaign. “She’s proven she can win in the toughest districts, she’s proven she can build broad coalitions of support across party lines, and she’s proven she shows up for people when it matters. Sarah is the right candidate to beat Zach Nunn and represent all Iowans in Congress.”

Trone Garriott in the Iowa Senate represents a suburban Des Moines district that includes parts of West Des Moines, Clive and De Soto, and all of Waukee, Adel and Van Meter.

Meyer was among a batch of new endorsements announced by Trone Garriott’s campaign. Also among the new endorsements were state legislator Megan Srinivas, and Des Moines City Council members Mike Simonson and Carl Voss.

Miller-Meeks, Nunn targeted in new ad campaign

Two Iowa congressional Republicans, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn, are among the incumbents targeted by a political group’s ads about federal Republicans’ tax policy and budget bill approved earlier this year and its potential impact on health care costs.

The ads from Main Street Action and Main Street Action PAC are designed to inform voters about what the group believes will be the effects of Republicans’ bill, including health care premium increases.

The ad campaign will include billboards, digital ads and direct voter texting, according to a press release from the group.

“Small business owners are already stretched thin by rising premiums, narrowing coverage options, and skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs,” Main Street Action and Main Street Action PAC Executive Director Richard Trent said in the press release. “Instead of listening to Main Street, these lawmakers sided with corporate interests and voted for a bill that makes health care even more expensive for the entrepreneurs who keep our communities running.”

Miller-Meeks is running for re-election in Eastern Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, and Nunn in central Iowa’s 3rd District. Both are expected to be among the most competitive U.S. House elections in the country next year.

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