Republican Zach Nunn defeats Lanon Baccam, wins reelection bid in Iowa's 3rd District
Republican Zach Nunn has won a second term representing Iowa's highly competitive 3rd Congressional District race over Democratic challenger Lanon Baccam.
The Associated Press called the race for Nunn at 11:19 p.m. Tuesday. With 99% of the votes counted, Nunn had 52% of the vote to Baccam's 48%, according to unofficial results from the Iowa Secretary of State's office.
"We have been able to deliver for Iowa," Nunn declared in a victory speech at the Iowa GOP watch party in downtown Des Moines. "We have worked across the board and we will continue to fight for Republicans, independents, Democrats. But most importantly, we will always fight for Iowa."
Baccam thanked his team and acknowledged his loss in a statement sent Wednesday at noon.
"It’s been the honor of a lifetime to be the Democratic nominee for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District," he said. "I can’t thank our tireless team enough, including our staff and incredible volunteers, and my family for being with me every step of the way."
Nonpartisan election forecasters rated the district a toss-up, and a preelection Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll found a plurality of likely voters in the 3rd District favored a Democratic candidate for Congress over a Republican, 48% to 41%.
Nunn said his victory "wasn't supposed to happen if you pay attention to the polls."
"But the only poll that matters is your vote on Election Day," he told the crowd. "And you spoke loud and clear."
The former state senator and state representative from Bondurant is no stranger to tight races after narrowly winning his first term in 2022 by just over 2,000 votes, or half a percentage point, over former Democratic U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne.
The 3rd District covers 21 counties in central and southern Iowa, including the cities of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Winterset, Osceola and Ottumwa.
Nunn has identified inflation, immigration, high taxes and government regulation as some of his top priorities if elected to a second term.
In his victory speech, Nunn promised to take "Iowa's voice" to Washington, D.C.
"As we look to deliver common sense solutions coming out of Iowa, this is my promise to every Iowan," he said. "Not only are we going to be working for you, we’re going to be holding Washington D.C. of all stripes accountable to how we get things done in Iowa."
In his television advertising, Nunn attacked Baccam over inflation and immigration, seeking to tie him to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
On the campaign trail, Nunn leaned into the bipartisan work he’s done in Congress, citing his status as the 10th most bipartisan legislator in Congress, according to the Lugar Center at Georgetown University.
More: Zach Nunn, looking for 2nd term in Iowa's 3rd District, campaigns on immigration, economy
Both Nunn and Baccam are military veterans.
Nunn is a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and served as an airborne intelligence officer, deploying overseas three times to Iraq and Afghanistan. He also served as director of cybersecurity on the National Security Council.
Baccam served eight years in the Iowa National Guard, where he earned the rank of corporal, and deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 as a combat engineer.
In his election night speech, Nunn praised Baccam for his military service.
"I also want to give a salute to my opponent," he said. "He has served honorably overseas and together we both have that in common with so many Iowans, the desire to serve our country."
And Nunn thanked his campaign team and his wife, Kelly, who he said is "in the fight with me every day."
"She is a rock star to the nth degree," he said. "Most importantly, she’s been a great partner and a great mom — for all of our six kiddos, for our adopted extended family and for this team up here. I could not be here without you. And honey, thanks for doing this together."
More: Zach Nunn, Lanon Baccam battle over abortion, immigration in 3rd District debate
Republicans at Iowa GOP watch party upbeat as national results roll in
Republicans, many wearing red blazers or dresses, gathered at the Hilton Downtown Des Moines on Tuesday night for the Iowa GOP watch party, waiting for Nunn to declare victory.
Attendees sipped on beer, wine or sodas as Fox News’ election night broadcast displayed results from around the country. Cheers went up around the room as the network called a series of states for former President Donald Trump throughout the night, including Iowa.
Jessica Siewert, a Des Moines resident and Polk County GOP Central Committee member, said she cast her ballot on Election Day for Nunn and Trump.
“I know it’s an important seat,” she said of Nunn’s race, just before the polls closed. “And I feel pretty good. I feel optimistic.”
Siewert said she hears Democrats bring up abortion frequently on the campaign trail and feels it’s important for Republicans to voice their opposition to abortion as well.
She also praised Nunn’s work on bipartisan issues in Congress.
“I also know like Zach Nunn has put in a lot of work as far as supporting Iowans as a whole, I feel like on both sides of the aisle,” she said. “So I like the nonpartisan, more unity side.”
Mary Wisenand of Des Moines praised Nunn for his dedication. She said she's marched in parades, knocked doors, made phone calls and dropped off campaign literature on his behalf.
"He is as genuine as any politician you’re ever going to find," she said. "He grew up here, he stayed here most of his career except for his military deployment and he’s raised his family here."
More: In a divided 3rd District, Democrat Lanon Baccam pitches a return to a more united Iowa
'The fight for a better Iowa must continue,' Baccam says
Baccam thanked his supporters and urged them to continue working on the issues he advocated for in his campaign, including protecting abortion rights and Social Security.
"While this is not the outcome we wanted, the fight for a better Iowa must continue," he said. "We still know it’s not okay for politicians to tell women what to do with their bodies, we know there’s still work to do to lower costs, and we have to make sure Iowans can retire with dignity by protecting Social Security and Medicare. Thank you to everyone who stood with me in this race."
Before the results had come in, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack compared Baccam's 3rd District campaign to his underdog victory for governor in 1998.
“He's running against incumbent,” the current Secretary of Agriculture said after making a brief appearance at the Iowa Democratic Party’s election night event. “That's not an easy thing to do, and I think people probably didn't think he had a chance when he started. But like me in 1998, it's been a little train that could and he just kept working at it.”
The 3rd District race has seen millions of dollars in ad spending, with Nunn attacking Baccam on the issue of immigration and Baccam criticizing Nunn's record on abortion.
Baccam out-raised Nunn in four consecutive fundraising quarters, but Nunn tallied more over the entire election cycle: about $5.3 million to Baccam's $4.8 million. Baccam spent $4.5 million across the election cycle, while Nunn spent $4.4 million.
OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan organization that tracks money in politics, outside spending from groups like super PACs totaled about $15.7 million spent in the 3rd District. That includes $3 million in spending to support Nunn and $950,000 to support Baccam, as well as more than $6 million opposing Baccam and $5.7 million opposing Nunn.
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.
(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Zach Nunn defeats Lanon Baccam in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District