U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn reignites talks of 3rd District debate as early voting begins

Candidates in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District — one of the nation’s most competitive U.S. House districts in the country — were unable to agree to a debate before early voting started in the 2026 midterm elections. But discussions may have restarted as U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn told reporters Wednesday he was accepting a debate request for Oct. 27 against Iowa Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott.

After going to cast his ballot at the Polk County Election Office on the first day of early voting, Nunn held a news conference encouraging Iowans to go to the polls — and he criticized his Democratic opponent for not agreeing to debate on a day before Iowans could begin casting their ballots.

The 3rd District is the only congressional race in Iowa where a debate has not been scheduled. The two campaigns failed to agree on a date with the news channel KCCI by Oct. 1, with Nunn’s campaign advocating for dates before or shortly after early voting began, and Trone Garriott’s campaign agreeing to dates in late October because of scheduling conflicts earlier in the month.

Iowa Field Report, a conservative-aligned news organization, published an audio recording of an interaction between Nunn and Trone Garriott’s campaign staff and KCCI staff — a 20-minute conversation in which the parties were unable to find a compromise on a date, which included discussion on the date of Oct. 27.

But Nunn told reporters, “just said yes again to KCCI to do this on the 27th of October” on Wednesday in order to ensure Iowans in the 3rd District hear from the candidates on the debate stage.

“I think it’s important, most of all, for Iowans to know that they have an opportunity to hear from both candidates on the stage,” Nunn said. “We have always debated in every race I’ve ever run, including in my primaries. It’s important too, because this is an opportunity for Iowans to ask the questions, but also to hear from the candidate — not just in the campaign rallies, but on the debate stage. So again, I will say, I’m ready to debate my opponent.”

Nunn also said in addition to the discussions with KCCI, he had agreed to participate in debates before the start of early voting with WHO-13, Iowa Public Television and WHO-AM. These dates were not agreed to by both parties and the media organizations. Nunn said though his campaign wanted to hold a debate before the start of early voting, the proposed Oct. 27 event “is an opportunity for us to come to the debate stage” before Election Day Nov. 3.

“Every other race has done this,” Nunn said. “There is no reason that the 3rd District should be any different. We stand ready. I wish we would have done this before early voting started, but as we turn out here today as one of the first candidates to vote, it’s important Iowans of all stripes get to hear from their candidates.”

In a statement to Iowa Capital Dispatch, Trone Garriott said she accepted a debate on Oct. 27 “weeks ago,” and was supportive of facing Nunn on the debate stage.

“I’ve been looking forward to a debate from the beginning,” Trone Garriott said. “Iowans deserve to hear from both candidates side by side before they vote.

“Unfortunately, Zach Nunn continues to play games rather than being honest with voters. I accepted a debate on October 27th with KCCI weeks ago, and I remain ready to debate. Our campaign has been working with KCCI today, and we hope this date still works for them.”

It is unclear if KCCI will be able to host the debate Oct. 27 — a day two weeks away, that will be one week before Election Day. Iowa Capital Dispatch reached out to the TV news station but did not receive a response by the time of this article’s publishing.