3rd District candidate Zach Nunn calls for federal government to model Iowa's success

Iowa Sen. Zach Nunn wants the federal government to work more like Iowa.

Nunn, a Republican who represents Bondurant in the Statehouse, is running for the 3rd District seat in the U.S. House.

"In Iowa, we've been successful," he said at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox on Saturday. "Unfortunately, when we look at what's going on in Washington today, we see a very different model for how government is the only solution and the people have no voice."

Nunn is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, a Democrat, in one of the most hotly contested races in the nation. Nunn said he plans to meet with House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, who had "prioritized this as one of his top races."

As he introduced himself to the crowd and the people milling past, Nunn touted his Des Moines roots, including playing in the high school marching band and taking his now-wife on a date to a rowdy East Side Night.

Nunn's wife and four of their six children stood with him on stage. The kids wore matching red, white and blue outfits, and two wore tiny cowboy boots.

"I got half of the 3rd District here," Nunn joked.

Nunn highlighted his record in the Legislature, including his support for tax cuts championed by Republican majorities in Iowa. The most recent tax cut, passed in 2022, will lower Iowa's income tax to a flat 3.9% and makes retirement income tax-free.

"When you give Iowans money back, they spend it in their community," he said. "They spend it on their business, they spend it on their family, they spend it on developing their farm."

He compared those cuts — and Iowa's overall financial health — to federal policies under President Joe Biden. Nunn took aim at inflation, arguing the rising prices were equivalent to losing a month's salary.

"Would that have an impact? Would that hurt your bottom line?" he asked. "Would that decide what kind of a future you're going to be able to have for your kids?"

Nunn has said he opposed the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed the U.S. House Friday, sending it to Biden. The measure would lower carbon emissions and pharmaceutical costs, and raise taxes on some large companies.

More: House passes Inflation Reduction Act, sends it to Biden

Iowa's three Republican representatives voted against it, and Axne voted in favor.

"I voted today to level the playing field for Iowans by lowering the costs for things Iowans need and use every day like prescription drugs and electricity while ensuring billionaire corporations are paying their fair share in taxes,” Axne said in a statement after the bill's passage.

Nunn, however, said the legislation would increase inflation, taxes and audits on small businesses.

"What we need to do is take what has worked so well here in Iowa and give it back," he said. "Give back your tax money and watch what happens to the economy, just like here in Iowa."

Axne will speak on the Register's Soapbox at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

More: View candidate speeches, photos and read articles from the 2022 Soapbox

Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com or at 410-340-3440. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 3rd District candidate Zach Nunn talks inflation, taxes on the Soapbox