Zachary Nunn

Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn highlighted his bipartisan approach to lawmaking, military credentials and legislative results ahead of his competitive November general election matchup.

With riled-up supporters out in force to support Veterans Day at the Iowa State Fair, the GOP incumbent seeking a third term in south-central Iowa's 3rd Congressional District made the case for his reelection at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox on Monday, Aug. 17.

"It's not about the bipartisan tagline," said Nunn, a military veteran and colonel in the Air Force Reserve. "It's about being able to do what we've always done in the military, what each of us do for our families: Come up with a plan, work hard, deliver."

He took the stage with his wife, Kelly, and several of their ice cream-eating daughters, who charmed the crowd with a "thank you" before he left the stage to a chant of "USA."

Here's what Nunn said.

Nunn touts Republicans' 2025 tax and spending law

Nunn trumpeted Republicans' 2025 tax and spending law dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill, including its $50 billion rural health care fund and President Donald Trump's signature 2017 tax cuts made permanent in the law.

He has touted the measure's temporary deduction on taxes on overtime and tips, as well as other provisions manufacturers say have helped them create new jobs and invest in their facilities and equipment.

Democrats argue the Republican tax law disproportionately benefits wealthy Americans while making steep cuts to public assistance programs, including federal spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid.

Republicans say the changes were necessary to preserve the programs for those who most need benefits and to eliminate waste and fraud.

"We started delivering on things that mattered to Iowans like, 'Hey, just let me keep a little more of my hard-earned money in my pocket,' because I'll tell you what Iowans do with it," Nunn said. "They spend it on their families. They spend it on their farm, they spend it on their businesses, but most importantly, they invest right here. That's how you grow an economy."

Nunn says 'we've delivered' on Iowans' priorities

Nunn cast himself as a bipartisan leader who pushes to deliver on Iowans' priorities, including U.S.-Mexico border security, the House-passed bill to make nationwide E15, ethanol-blended gas available year-round and his rural housing bill that was tucked into a landmark housing law.

He boasted of his ranking as the third most bipartisan member of the U.S. House by Bridge Grades, a nonpartisan project that scores federal lawmakers on how often they legislate across party lines.

"This does not just happen," Nunn said. "This is the result of hard work day one at the federal level with our state, and most importantly with all of you. Every one of the ideas that you guys have been able to put forward for us, we have worked hard to change into good legislation coming out of Washington. And every time we've seen Washington not delivering for us, we have fought back. Whether it's a Democrat, a Republican, or the Washington institution, we've delivered."

Nunn takes a swipe at Sarah Trone Garriott's voting record

Nunn faces a highly targeted bid for a third term in the Nov. 3 general election against Democratic state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, which encompasses Des Moines, its suburbs and rural south-central Iowa. Elections forecasters consider the race a "tossup," meaning either candidate has a fair shot of winning.

Nunn made a jab at Trone Garriott's votes against legislation opposed by LGBTQ advocates, including votes against bills that banned access to gender-affirming care for minors, blocked transgender girls and women from participating in female sports and required students use school restrooms and changing areas that align with their sex at birth.

Nunn said he has been a strong parental choice supporter.

"When this one goes into a locker room," he said, pointing to his daughters, "it's a locker room for girls. This is a common sense approach.

"But team, here's the reality. We've fought for it. We've delivered it. We've voted for it. Check the other side of the ledger, my friends. They can say all they want, including my opponent running a commercial on it. But at the end of the day, go check her vote. You'll know exactly where she stands."