What Zach Nunn and Lanon Baccam, 3rd District candidates, say on abortion, inflation, IVF
Two candidates are on the ballot in the closely watched race for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, which includes the Des Moines metro and much of central and southern Iowa.
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, a Republican, is seeking a second term in office after he flipped the seat from Democratic control in a razor-thin 2022 race that was decided by about 2,000 votes.
Nunn faces a challenge from Democrat Lanon Baccam, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture official.
Libertarian Marco Battaglia is running a write-in campaign for the seat after the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the Libertarian Party's congressional candidates will not appear on the ballot because the party failed to follow the procedures laid out in Iowa law when nominating them.
The 3rd Congressional District covers 21 counties in central and southern Iowa, including the cities of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Winterset, Osceola and Ottumwa.
To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Early voting begins Oct. 16 for the Nov. 5 general election.
Learn More: Your Iowa Voter Guide 2024
Who is Zach Nunn?
Age: 45.
Party: Republican.
Where did you grow up: The east side of Des Moines.
Current town of residence: Bondurant.
Education: I graduated from Southeast Polk and then Drake University. I hold master's degrees in International Security from Cambridge University, Cybersecurity from Air Command & Staff College, and Strategy & Technology from Air War College.
Occupation: U.S. Representative, colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
Political experience and civic activities: U.S. Representative (IA-03) from 2023-present; Iowa Senate 2018-2022; Iowa House of Representatives 2014-18. Civic Activities: Task Force Argo, Co-Founder; Harkin Institute Scholarship Board; Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Altoona Post founders; American Legion, Bondurant Post.
Who is Lanon Baccam?
Age: 43.
Party: Democrat.
Where did you grow up: Mount Pleasant
Current town of residence: Des Moines
Education: Drake University
Occupation: Former U.S. Department of Agriculture official.
Political experience and civic activities: I have an extensive history of public service and civic engagement. I have over 10 years of experience serving in various role at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) including as the Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services and Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison, and more recently as the deputy chief of staff at USDA.
What would be your top issue should you be elected?
Nunn: My number one priority is working for Iowans. I came to Washington to find real solutions for Iowans, and after completing several 21-county tours of our district, it’s clear that common challenges unite us: crippling inflation, high taxes, burdensome government red tape and the crisis at our southern border. The status quo in Washington is critically broken, and I’m fighting to bring Iowa common sense to our nation’s capitol while we address these critical issues for Iowa families.
Baccam: Congress lacks leaders who will rise above the dysfunction in Washington, work across the aisle and actually get things done for Iowa families. As a combat veteran, public servant, and rural Iowa native, I believe elected officials should serve their communities — not their party. I’m running to deliver real results for Iowa. With effective leaders in office, we can get back to work and take action to lower costs, grow the middle class, and protect reproductive freedom. It's time for us to focus on hardworking families and help them get ahead — and we can start by finding ways to lower the costs of groceries and gas prices.
What is the most important domestic policy you would champion in Congress?
Nunn: Our border is an unmitigated disaster due to the open-border policies championed by the current administration. Even though we are not a border state, our communities are feeling the effects of this administration’s failed policies due to the rise in fentanyl-related deaths (now 150 per day) and costs to the taxpayer. We must address this crisis — and reduce the burden on every community across the country. I won’t rest until we’ve secured our southern border.
Baccam: Raised by factory workers in rural Iowa, I know the challenges families are facing in this district. Too many Iowans are being left behind and can’t get ahead, no matter how hard they work. Middle class families are the backbone of Iowa, and they deserve to be put first again. I’ll champion policies that grow the middle class, including lowering costs, creating good-paying jobs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and expanding access to affordable health care.
What is a specific piece of bipartisan legislation you would push for in Congress?
Nunn: I’m proud to have been named one of the top 10 most bipartisan members of Congress according to the non-partisan Lugar Center. More than 80% of the bills I’ve introduced have bipartisan support — including two bills I led to expand rural housing and support servicemembers that are now law. There’s more work to do. The Chinese Communist Party will stop at nothing to endanger our economy and national security. They are buying up all the farmland they can get their hands on. We must defend our country and our livelihood — and that starts by preventing China from purchasing American farmland.
Baccam: From serving as a combat engineer in Afghanistan to implementing critical investments in rural communities at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, I’ve never let partisanship get in the way of getting the job done. I’ll lead the same way in Congress and will always seek to work in a bipartisan manner. Specifically, I’ll work across the aisle on the Farm Bill to support our farmers and ranchers and invest in our communities.
What specific steps, if any, should Congress take to secure the border and improve immigration policy?
Nunn: In the past three years, there have been more than 8.2 million illegal crossings of our southern border — and that number is growing. I’ll work with anyone — Democrat or Republican — to reform our broken immigration system, end the humanitarian crisis and stop fentanyl trafficking. I am committed to finding a solution that will protect our communities and secure the border. That’s why I voted for bipartisan legislation to increase pay for Border Patrol agents, end catch and release, reinstate remain in Mexico, prevent illegal immigrants from voting in U.S. elections, and more.
Baccam: We must secure the border. D.C. politicians are playing endless politics with the southern border, even killing a rare bipartisan deal for purely political reasons. While imperfect, the bill would have made real progress by hiring more border patrol agents and funding more technology to detect fentanyl. It’s far past time to take steps like these. As the son of refugees, I also know how critical it is that our immigration policies are humane. In Congress, I will work across the aisle, put politics aside, and secure the border while creating pathways to citizenship.
After the fall of Roe v. Wade, America is seeing a wide variety of abortion laws across states. Should Congress create a federal policy outlining abortion restrictions that are uniform across the country? If so, what should that look like?
Nunn: Good people can disagree on the issue of abortion. Let me be clear on where I’ve always stood: I’m pro-life, voted for exceptions, and fought for access to contraceptives and IVF. I oppose a federal ban and believe abortion policy should be left up to the states. In Congress, I’m fighting back against extremes in both parties and working to bring real solutions for Iowa families.
Baccam: We are seeing a devastating attack on women’s rights right here in Iowa thanks to Zach Nunn’s abortion ban. Abortion is now banned before most women even know they’re pregnant, making this one of the most restrictive and dangerous abortion bans in the country. As a father, it’s infuriating to watch my daughter’s rights repeatedly attacked and ripped away. Like any parent, I don’t want politicians telling her what to do with her future and her body. In Congress, I will vote to restore Roe v. Wade and protect women’s right to an abortion in Iowa and across the country.
More: IVF could be a driving issue in Iowa congressional races. Where do the candidates stand?
Should Congress take steps to protect Americans’ access to in-vitro fertilization?
Nunn: Absolutely. As a father of six, I’ll never have a more important title than 'Dad.' I believe anyone who is hoping to start a family should have access to the tools to do so, including IVF, fertility treatments or adoption. In Congress, I introduced bipartisan legislation to make IVF more affordable and accessible for Iowans.
Baccam: Yes, we absolutely should take steps to protect access to IVF treatments and I will support this in Congress. I believe in protecting access to fertility treatments, contraception, and reproductive healthcare for everyone in Iowa. Zach Nunn has voted for extreme abortion bans and even voted for a bill that would threaten access to IVF in Iowa.
Iowans are struggling with rising costs and inflation. What can Congress do to fix it?
Nunn: The most important issue I hear from Iowans during my 21 county tours is ensuring stability when it comes to everyday necessities — having access to a good-paying job to put food on the table, filling up gas tanks, and affording college or retirement savings. Recently, 40-year high inflation rates have been crushing Americans. We’ve had to pay $12,000 extra so far just to pay for the same necessities. It’s unacceptable. To address rising inflation, I’ve voted to rein in out-of-control government spending, reduce taxes for Iowa families, and unleash American energy.
Baccam: We need economic policies that support working families and seniors. That means taking action to bring costs down now, including holding big corporations accountable for price gouging and charging unnecessary fees that take more of our hard-earned money while boosting corporate profits to all-time highs. We also need to continue addressing the skyrocketing cost of healthcare, including expanding the $35 cap on insulin costs to cover all Americans. We should be lowering prescription drug costs, not following Zach Nunn’s plan to repeal the $35 cap, prohibit Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices, and raising costs for Iowa seniors.
What policies would you advocate to include in the next Farm Bill?
Nunn: Every Iowan is impacted by the Farm Bill and agriculture policy. That’s why I’ve engaged hundreds of Iowans at my open Farm Bill listening sessions throughout our community as we craft this legislation. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I delivered for Iowa’s 85,000 farms by passing a bipartisan Farm Bill with 17 of our priorities to drive down input costs, strengthen the farm safety net, increase rural economic development (including rural broadband), bolster innovation and security in agriculture, conserve farmland and natural resources, protect water quality, prevent dangerous puppy mills, and ensure American energy independence through Iowa biofuels.
Baccam: The Farm Bill has a huge impact for Iowa and our economy and Washington politicians aren't getting the job done. This Congress let the Farm Bill expire for months and has still yet to pass a new five year bill. The Farm Bill should be a priority, not an afterthought. Whether it's strengthening the safety net for our farmers and ranchers, to investing in our rural communities by expanding high speed internet and rural infrastructure projects, or through the nutrition programs — I have already helped to deliver for Iowans while at USDA and will push for a strong bipartisan Farm Bill when I'm in Congress.
What should be Congress' priority when addressing the federal budget — cutting spending or directing money toward programs and services?
Nunn: Every day, Iowans balance their budgets at home — and our government should too. That’s why the first bill I introduced was a commonsense bill to balance the federal budget. It’s no coincidence that government spending is at a decade high while families across the country are struggling to make ends meet with skyrocketing inflation. We must find bipartisan compromise to cut unnecessary federal spending while still 100% supporting the critical programs that Iowans rely on, such as Social Security, Medicare, VA Benefits, and more.
Baccam: We need to spend responsibly, and I will do everything I can to lower the deficit. However, we shouldn’t do this at the expense of Iowa’s middle class families. Many D.C. politicians are pushing relentlessly to slash Social Security and Medicare. In fact, Zach Nunn’s latest budget did exactly that. I know how critical these programs are for our seniors, and I will never put them in jeopardy. We must come together in a bipartisan way to ensure we’re spending responsibly while also helping Iowa families get ahead.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet Iowa 3rd District candidates Zach Nunn, Lanon Baccam