Who's running against U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne in November? Meet Zach Nunn, 3rd District GOP nominee

Katie Akin, Des Moines Register
·1 min read
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Zach Nunn, a state senator and Air Force veteran, won the June 7 Republican primary election in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, setting him up to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, a Democrat, in the fall.

Zach Nunn, 43, is a U.S. Air Force veteran and a squadron commander in the Iowa Air National Guard. He served two combat tours in Afghanistan and another in Iraq. In 2021, Nunn helped organize flights to evacuate people from Afghanistan as U.S. troops pulled out of the country.

More: Air Force veteran Zach Nunn wins 3rd District Republican primary; will challenge Rep. Cindy Axne

Nunn was elected to the Iowa House in 2014, then to the state Senate in 2018. He campaigned on his legislative record, including a sweeping tax cut passed this year.

Election Results: See Iowa primary election results across the state

Who is Zach Nunn?

Answers provided by the candidate. Full candidate Q&A available here.

  • Age: 43

  • Town of residence: Bondurant

  • Party affiliation: Republican

  • Education: Bachelor's in political science from Drake University; advanced degrees in international security from Cambridge University; cybersecurity from Air Command and Staff College; and strategy and technology innovation from Air War College

  • Occupation: U.S. Air Force, small business owner

  • Previous elected offices held: Iowa House of Representatives, 2014-2018, currently serving in Iowa Senate

  • Major civic activities: Task Force Argo, co-founder; Harkin Institute Scholarship Board; Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Altoona Post founders; American Legion, Bondurant Post; Civil Air Patrol

More: Air Force veteran Zach Nunn wins 3rd District Republican primary; will challenge Rep. Cindy Axne

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: Republican Zach Nunn to run against Cindy Axne in November election