Zach Nunn
Zach Nunn | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 3rd district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Cindy Axne |
Member of the Iowa Senate from the 15th district | |
In office January 14, 2019 – January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Chaz Allen |
Succeeded by | Tony Bisignano |
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 30th district | |
In office January 12, 2015 – January 14, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Joe Riding |
Succeeded by | Brian Lohse |
Personal details | |
Born | Story City, Iowa, U.S. | May 4, 1979
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Kelly Nunn |
Children | 6 |
Education | Drake University (BA) Air University (MMAS) University of Cambridge (MSt) |
Website | House website |
Military service | |
Branch/service | |
Years of service | 2004-present [1] |
Rank | Colonel |
Zachary Martin Nunn[2] (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.
Nunn ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2022 to represent Iowa's 3rd congressional district. He won the election on November 8th defeating incumbent Cindy Axne. He was re-elected in 2024.
Nunn represents the wealthiest congressional district in the state of Iowa.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]Nunn was born on May 4, 1979, in Story City, Iowa, and raised in Altoona.[4] He graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 1998.[4] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and international relations from Drake University in 2002.[4][5] He earned a M.S. in military operational art and science from the Air Command and Staff College in 2004 and a Master of Studies in international security from the University of Cambridge in 2007.[5][4]
Career
[edit]Early career
[edit]Nunn was a member of the United States Air Force and later the Iowa Air National Guard.[5] 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.[4] 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.[4] Nunn was later director of cybersecurity policy for the United States National Security Council during the Obama administration.[8]
Iowa Legislature
[edit]Nunn was a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019.[5][9] He was a member of the Iowa Senate beginning in 2019.[5]
U.S House of Representatives
[edit]Elections
[edit]2022
[edit]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 Republican at 48% to 41%.[18]
Nunn won a second term representing Iowa's most competitive district in 2024, 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]
Committee assignments
[edit]For the 118th Congress:[21]
Political positions
[edit]Axios described Nunn as having "carved out a niche as a vocal moderate on key issues".[22]
Abortion
[edit]During a May 2022 Republican primary debate, Nunn raised his hand indicating he opposes abortion without exceptions.[23][24] In August 2022, he said he does support legal exceptions to allow some abortions, including in cases of rape and incest.[25]
In a survey released on May 16, 2024, Nunn said he opposes a federal ban on abortion and that this policy should be left up to the states. In the same survey, he said anyone should have access to tools to start a family, including IVF, fertility treatments, or adoption.[26]
Infrastructure
[edit]Nunn opposes the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, and said there was far too much waste in the law.[27]
January 6
[edit]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."[28]
Electoral history
[edit]2014
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Zach Nunn | 1,108 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 1,108 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Zach Nunn | 7,323 | 56.00 | |
Democratic | Joe Riding (incumbent) | 5,733 | 44.00 | |
Total votes | 13,056 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
2016
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Zach Nunn (incumbent) | 553 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 553 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Zach Nunn (incumbent) | 11,442 | 62.05 | |
Democratic | Joe Riding | 6,999 | 37.95 | |
Total votes | 18,441 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
2018
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Zach Nunn | |||
Total votes |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Zach Nunn | 16,988 | 57.0 | |
Democratic | Dan Nieland | 12,830 | 43.0 | |
Total votes | 29,818 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
2022
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Zach Nunn | 30,500 | 65.75 | |
Republican | Nicole Hasso | 8,996 | 19.39 | |
Republican | Gary Leffler | 6,802 | 14.66 | |
Write-in | 89 | 0.19 | ||
Total votes | 46,387 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Zach Nunn | 156,262 | 50.26 | |
Democratic | Cindy Axne (incumbent) | 154,117 | 49.57 | |
Write-in | 534 | 0.17 | ||
Total votes | 310,913 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
2024
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Zach Nunn (incumbent) | 21,103 | 98.30 | |
Write-in | 365 | 1.70 | ||
Total votes | 21,468 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Zach Nunn (incumbent) | 213,625 | 51.78 | |
Democratic | Lanon Baccam | 197,777 | 47.93 | |
Write-in | 1,197 | 0.29 | ||
Total votes | 412,599 | 100.0 |
Personal life
[edit]Nunn is married and has six children, including two who were adopted out of the foster care system.[38]
References
[edit]- ^ "Nunn Promoted to Colonel in United States Air Force". nunn.house.gov. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ "Rep. Zach Nunn - R Iowa, 3rd, In Office - Biography". LegiStorm. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ Andrew DePietro (October 1, 2024). "The Richest Congressional Districts In Every State Of 2024". Forbes.
- ^ a b c d e f Jonathan Krueger, Questionnaires: Iowa House District 30, The Des Moines Register (November 1, 2016).
- ^ a b c d e "State Senator Zach Nunn". Iowa Legislature. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "To pay or not to pay: Lessons from DMACC hack". Axios. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ "Zach Nunn". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Republican state Sen. Zach Nunn announces congressional campaign in Iowa's 3rd District". Des Moines Register. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
- ^ Campaign Almanac: Conservative group's ads target Rep. Axne, The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) (July 27, 2022).
- ^ Robin Opsahl, Campaign finance reports show competition in Grassley, Axne races, Iowa Capital Dispatch (via Ottumwa Courier) (July 20, 2022).
- ^ a b O. Kay Henderson, Axne says she's ready for 'most watched' U.S. house race in country, Radio Iowa (June 8, 2022).
- ^ Katie Akin, Iowa Poll: Voters prefer Republicans in 3 of 4 US House races — except in 3rd District, Des Moines Register (July 25, 2022).
- ^ "Donald Trump endorses Republican running for Iowa's Third Congressional District". KCCI. July 8, 2022.
- ^ Iowa's Sole Democratic House Member Faces a Tough Fight, Associated Press (June 8, 2022).
- ^ "Zach Nunn defeats Cindy Axne with all counties reporting in Iowa's 3rd District". KCCI. November 11, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ Gruber-Miller, Stephen. "Iowa Poll: Democrats are preferred over Republicans in 2 of 4 congressional districts". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Zachary Nunn". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
- ^ Clayworth, Jason (June 4, 2024). "Lanon Baccam to take on GOP Rep. Zach Nunn after primary win". Axios Des Moines. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Iowa 3rd District GOP candidates say all abortions should be illegal as Supreme Court weighs Roe v. Wade". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ Thomas Beaumont (July 31, 2022). "Vulnerable House Dems see abortion as winning campaign theme". Associated Press News.
- ^ Rooker, Amanda (August 12, 2022). "Nunn pushes back on new Axne ad targeting his 'no exceptions' abortion stance". KCCI. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Meet the 2 Democrats challenging Zach Nunn for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District seat". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ writer, CHAD DRURY Courier staff (April 12, 2022). "Nunn focuses on urban-rural balance". Ottumwa Courier. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne (April 28, 2022). "Iowa 3rd District GOP candidates express frustration at prosecution of Jan. 6 rioters". The Des Moines Register.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Primary Election June 7, 2022 | United States Representative District 3 – Republican". Iowa Secretary of State.
- ^ "General Election November 8, 2022 | United States Representative District 3 – Republican". Iowa Secretary of State.
- ^ "Primary Election June 4, 2024 | United States Representative District 3 – Republican". Iowa Secretary of State.
- ^ "General Election November 5, 2024 | United States Representative District 3 – Republican". Iowa Secretary of State.
- ^ "US Rep. Zach Nunn and his wife, Kelly, adopt their foster daughters". The Des Moines Register. April 5, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Congressman Zach Nunn official U.S. House website
- Campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- 1979 births
- 21st-century Roman Catholics
- Air Command and Staff College alumni
- Alumni of the University of Cambridge
- Catholic politicians from Iowa
- Drake University alumni
- Living people
- Obama administration personnel
- People from Altoona, Iowa
- People from Story City, Iowa
- Republican Party Iowa state senators
- Republican Party members of the Iowa House of Representatives
- 21st-century members of the Iowa General Assembly
- Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Iowa
- United States Air Force officers
- United States National Security Council staffers
- 21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives