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Iowa Democratic state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott announces bid for 3rd Congressional District
Political forecasters have the district as one of the most competitive in the country heading into the 2026 elections
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Democratic State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott is looking to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District in 2026.
Trone Garriott, a Lutheran minister from West Des Moines, criticized Nunn for “not showing up” for Iowans, adding she has worked to lower prescription drug prices and advocated for public education during her time in the Iowa Legislature.
She announced her campaign Monday.
Trone Garriott was first elected to represent District 22 in the Iowa Senate during a 2020 special election, flipping a Republican seat. In 2022, she beat then-Senate President Jake Chapman to represent District 14 after a round of redistricting, and held onto the seat in 2024 by 29 votes, out of more than 40,000 votes cast, after facing a challenge from Republican Mark Hanson.
“I’m no stranger to tough fights,” Trone Garriott, 46, said in a statement. “I’m the only Democrat in Iowa over the past few years who has consistently won competitive elections in Republican districts. I know how to win, and I know how to deliver for Iowans.”
Nunn, 46, was first elected to the U.S. House in 2022 after beating Cindy Axne, the Democratic incumbent, by less than one percentage point. Last November, Nunn won re-election by nearly four percentage points after facing a challenge from Democrat Lanon Baccam.
Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District covers the Des Moines metro area and most of the state’s southwestern corner.
Political forecasters have the district as one of the most competitive in the country. One of those is Sabato’s Crystal Ball, which recently labeled it as a toss-up district.
In April, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced the district is “in play” for the 2026 midterm elections, along with Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, held by Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and 2nd Congressional District held by Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson.
National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Emily Tuttle denounced Trone Garriott’s campaign in a statement Monday.
“Out of touch Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott is another activist attempting to radicalize Iowa — pushing a dangerous, extreme agenda that would raise costs, allow men in girls’ sports, and weaken public safety,” Tuttle said. “Iowans want leaders who deliver commonsense results, and that’s exactly why they’ll send Zach Nunn back to Congress.”
Nunn has not officially announced a re-election campaign, however, he is expected to seek office again. He recently ruled out a run for Iowa governor in a radio interview on WHO AM with Simon Conway after Gov. Kim Reynolds announced in April that she is not seeking another term.
No other candidates have entered the 3rd Congressional race, but Democrat Iowa House Rep. Austin Baeth, of Des Moines, and House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, of Windsor Heights, have said they are considering running.
Erin Murphy of The Gazette contributed to this report.
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