In Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, voters are faced with a clear choice between incumbent Rep. Zach Nunn, R‑Iowa, and Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott. Both candidates are emphasizing how their policies will affect Iowa families, farms and taxes as the 2026 midterms approach.
Trump‑aligned agricultural policy
Rep. Nunn, a staunch supporter of President Trump’s agenda, introduced legislation to ban foreign beef imports – a proposal first championed by the President. “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.” This aligns with the administration’s focus on protecting American farmers and keeping food costs down.
Tariff criticism from the challenger
Garriott has made opposition to the Trump administration’s tariff policies a centerpiece of her campaign. She estimates that tariffs cost Iowa families $600 per year and have 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,” she wrote on social media.
Tax and welfare proposals
Nunn voted for the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes a suite of tax‑cut measures and work‑requirements for Medicaid and SNAP recipients. He highlighted that the bill would let a waitress keep her tips, a nurse or police officer keep overtime pay, and seniors retain more of their Social Security benefits. “That’s real money staying in Iowa,” Nunn posted.
Garriott, meanwhile, proposes raising the federal minimum wage, expanding the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit, and rolling back what she calls “reckless tariff policy.” She also pledged to reverse cuts to Medicaid and other welfare programs, arguing that those cuts have forced rural hospitals to close, leaving residents to travel over an hour for care.
Fundraising and outside support
The race is competitive financially. Garriott has raised $5.2 million and holds $3.8 million cash on hand, while Nunn has raised $4.8 million with $3.5 million available. Garriott received contributions from JStreetPAC ($21,637), the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund ($6,000) and the Communication Workers of America ($5,000). Nunn’s donors include the American‑Israel Public Affairs Committee ($81,000), the Republican Jewish Coalition PAC ($14,000) and the Morgan Stanley PAC ($3,000).
Voting information
Iowa voters must request a mail‑in absentee ballot by Oct. 19. Early in‑person voting runs Oct. 14 through Nov. 2, and polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more details, visit the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
