Watch: Cindy Axne and Zach Nunn meet in their first 3rd Congressional District debate

Katie Akin, Des Moines Register
·2 min read
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Incumbent Rep. Cindy Axne faces Republican challenger Zach Nunn for the first time on the debate stage at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Axne, a Democrat, has served two terms in the U.S. House. She is the only Democrat serving in Iowa's Washington, D.C., delegation. Nunn is an Air Force veteran and Republican state senator representing Bondurant.

Thursday's hourlong debate is on KCCI and their website, KCCI.com, beginning at 7 p.m.

Watch live:3rd Congressional candidates Cindy Axne and Zach Nunn debate on KCCI

Des Moines Register reporter Ian Richardson is covering the event. You can follow his work on Twitter at @DMRIanR.

Nunn and Axne have both emphasized the high stakes of the race. Democrats have a tight margin to maintain control of Congress in November, and Axne's seat is vulnerable. Nonpartisan election forecasters say Iowa's 3rd district leans Republican.

More:What Iowa 3rd District candidates Cindy Axne, Zach Nunn say on issues like abortion, inflation

Candidates have centered the race so far on two major issues: abortion and the economy. Axne unleashed a flurry of ads accusing Nunn of supporting an abortion ban with no exceptions — something he backed in a May primary debate. In response, Nunn pointed to his vote for the so-called fetal heartbeat bill, which includes some exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. He then launched his own ad, accusing Axne of supporting "abortion on demand, including day of birth."

Incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne and Republican Zach Nunn face off in their first on-stage debate at 7 p.m. Oct. 6.
Incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne and Republican Zach Nunn face off in their first on-stage debate at 7 p.m. Oct. 6.

Nunn has taken the offensive on the economy, criticizing Axne and President Joe Biden for inflation and excess spending. He compares the federal government to Iowa's Republican-led legislature, which has passed several rounds of significant tax cuts. Many Iowa Republicans this year have promoted a similar message, comparing Iowa's success to America's struggles.

More:See where Iowa candidates stand on key issues in the 2022 midterm elections

Axne, meanwhile, has campaigned hard on behalf of the "Inflation Reduction Act," a sweeping health care, climate change and tax policy law.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Watch: Cindy Axne, Zach Nunn debate in 3rd Congressional District