Trone Garriott Defeats Nunn in Iowa 3rd District
Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott wins Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, flipping the seat from Republican control.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, receiving 55% of the vote to Nunn's 45%. NBC News and Decision Desk HQ called the race for Trone Garriott at 10:40 p.m. Nov. 3.
Why it matters
The race was shaped by inflation, oil prices and fertilizer costs rising amid the war with Iran, along with strain on Iowa's agricultural economy linked to Trump's global tariffs. The result flips a seat that election forecasters had moved from toss-up to lean Democratic in October.
Trone Garriott outraised Nunn by more than $8 million to $6.2 million this cycle, while outside spending on the race totaled about $25.6 million as of Nov. 3, including $9.7 million opposing Trone Garriott and $8.3 million attacking Nunn.
The players
Sarah Trone Garriott
Democrat who won Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, a former hospital chaplain and food pantry worker who previously won three competitive Iowa Senate races in the Des Moines metro since 2020.
Zach Nunn
Republican U.S. Representative who lost his bid for reelection in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District.
The details
Trone Garriott, an ordained Lutheran minister and former hospital chaplain, campaigned on lowering costs and tied the war with Iran to higher prices, while faulting Nunn for appearing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and for five votes against curbing Trump's war powers. Nunn attacked her on tax cuts and her state legislative record on trans issues.
Timeline
September: Nunn broke with his party to support limits on Trump's war powers.
October: Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted the race from toss-up to lean Democratic.
Nov. 3, 2026: NBC News and Decision Desk HQ called the race for Trone Garriott at 10:40 p.m.
Legal Context
The Democratic flip follows the forecasters' October move from toss-up to lean Democratic, reflecting how the race was shaped by national economic pressures from the war with Iran and Trump's tariffs. The district covers 21 counties in central and southern Iowa, making it a bellwether for agricultural voters.
The change in representation for Iowa's 3rd District affects residents across 21 counties in central and southern Iowa, as the new congressional representative will take the seat previously held by Nunn. Residents in the district will see a Democrat representing them in Congress.
The takeaway
The result shows how economic pressures from inflation, energy costs and tariffs can move voters in agricultural districts. Voters tracking congressional races can follow forecaster rating changes as an early signal of shifting results.
Further reading
Explore more on the Elections section for broader context on how Iowa's congressional races are being decided.
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