Zach Nunn

Zach Nunn
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 3rd district
Incumbent
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	(1979-05-04) May 4, 1979 (age 45) Story City, Iowa, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Children	6
Education	Drake University (BA) Air University (MMAS) University of Cambridge (MSt)
Website	House website
Military service
Branch/service	United States Air Force Air Force Reserve
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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

For the 118th Congress:^[21]

• Committee on Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development
  • Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit
• 'Committee on Financial Services
  • Subcommittee on Capital Markets
  • Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance and International Financial Institutions

Axios described Nunn as having "carved out a niche as a vocal moderate on key issues".^[22]

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]

Nunn opposes the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, and said there was far too much waste in the law.^[27]

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]

Nunn is married and has six children, including two who were adopted out of the foster care system.^[38]

• 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