Zach Nunn fights off challenge for Iowa House seat

Republican Rep. Zach Nunn will hold on to his seat in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, Decision Desk HQ projects.

Nunn was set to score a second term in the House, fending off a tough challenge from Democrat Lanon Baccam. He had flipped the seat from then-Rep. Cindy Axne (D-Iowa) in the midterms. 

The Cook Political Report made a relatively late shift of the race into “toss up” territory, citing private polling that showed Vice President Harris giving Baccam a boost in the district. 

Democrats were hopeful about the seat as a rare pickup opportunity in the Midwest as both parties battle for House control. They were also eyeing Iowa Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) in the 1st District — and saw some cause for optimism in the red state’s presidential race. 

Just days ahead of Tuesday’s contest, shock results from a Des Moines Register/Mediacom survey showed Harris with a 3-point lead over former President Trump across Iowa — which had been considered a safe GOP state after the former president won it by 9 and 8 points in 2016 and 2020, respectively.