U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn emphasizes bipartisan work, calls for border security at state fair

Joined by his family, U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn kicked off the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox series at the Iowa State Fair Friday speaking about his commitment to working across the aisle while also highlighting his efforts on U.S. border security.

Nunn, the incumbent Republican representing Iowa’s 3rd District, spoke to a crowd of more than 100. Nunn, the only Republican scheduled to speak at the soapbox this year, said he was “proud” to be rated as one of the top 10 most bipartisan U.S. House members by the Lugar Center at Georgetown University, but that he was “more proud” for the opportunity to serve in Iowa’s 3rd District.

“This is going to be a competitive election year,” Nunn told the crowd. “… This is an opportunity for each of us to stand up for things that are important. I have been privileged to lead bills that actually get passed both the House and the Senate.”

Nunn first won election in the 2022 midterms, where he beat incumbent former Rep. Cindy Axne for the 3rd District seat, helping turn Iowa’s federal delegation to full GOP control. Prior to his election to the U.S. House, Nunn served in the state Legislature beginning in 2015.

In the Nov. 5 election, Nunn will face Democrat Lanon Baccam, the Democratic nominee for the congressional seat. Baccam is scheduled to speak at the soapbox Monday, Aug. 12 at 4:30 p.m. Marco Battaglia, 3rd District Libertarian candidate, will also speak at the fair at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11.

Sabato’s Crystal Ball, an election forecaster, has rated the 3rd District race as “leans Republican” ahead of the upcoming election.

While Nunn emphasized his commitment to legislation that is supported by members of both parties, he also focused on a red-meat issue for Republicans heading into the 2024 general election — security on the U.S.-Mexico southern border. Nunn said he supports an “America first” approach to border security and immigration.

“It’s the number one thing I hear about when I go to all 21 counties across the 3rd District, is how every county now has sadly become a border county,” Nunn said.

He said the issues of undocumented immigration and security on the southern border have had a direct impact on Iowa communities through fentanyl trafficking in the state. Opioid-related deaths have increased significantly in Iowa in recent years, especially among younger Iowans, according to state reports.

Some Republicans have linked the rising overdose death rates to undocumented immigration along the U.S. southern border while calling for stricter enforcement of immigration laws by President Joe Biden’s administration. However, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration report found most fentanyl is transported into the U.S. through legal ports of entry by U.S. citizens, not by undocumented immigrants.

Nunn spoke about supporting a 2023 House GOP-led measure to increase border security — a separate measure from the bipartisan immigration deal that failed to advance earlier in 2024. While he criticized the Democrat-led Senate for not taking up the bill, he also said action needs to be taken on border security before negotiations can begin on changes to the U.S. immigration system.

“We have to secure our border before we can talk about any type of immigration reform,” Nunn said.