Nunn to Debate Trone Garriott in Des Moines
The 3rd Congressional District candidates meet for a televised debate on October 27.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Republican Representative Zach Nunn and Democratic nominee Sarah Trone Garriott will participate in a televised debate at KCCI studios in Des Moines. The event will take place on October 27, 2026, at 9 p.m.
Why it matters
The debate serves as a key component of the station's Commitment 2026 political coverage, allowing voters to compare the candidates' positions on health care, affordability, and taxes. This event provides voters an opportunity to evaluate the candidates directly before the November 3, 2026 election.
The debate is scheduled for a 9 p.m. broadcast on KCCI Channel 8.1 with candidates Zach Nunn and Sarah Trone Garriott each allotted two minutes to respond to questions.
The players
Zach Nunn
Zach Nunn is the Republican Representative currently seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sarah Trone Garriott
Sarah Trone Garriott is the Democratic nominee campaigning for the 3rd Congressional District seat.
Amanda Rooker
Amanda Rooker is a journalist and television personality who will serve as the debate moderator.
KCCI
KCCI is the Des Moines-based television station hosting the debate as part of its Commitment 2026 programming.
The details
Moderated by Amanda Rooker, the event features opening and closing statements from both participants. Viewers and the moderator will direct questions to the candidates during the session held at the station's Des Moines studios.
Timeline
The 3rd Congressional District debate will take place on October 27, 2026.
The election will take place on November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The debate is part of the station's Commitment 2026 political coverage, which aims to provide voters with a direct look at candidate platforms. This format is often met with pushback from advocacy groups who argue that short, structured time limits prevent a deep dive into complex policy issues.
Residents can watch the debate live on KCCI Channel 8.1 or stream it via Very Local to hear candidate stances on local taxes and affordability. This provides voters with necessary information to weigh their options before heading to the polls on November 3.
The takeaway
Voters should prepare to assess how each candidate's proposed policy on taxes and health care aligns with their personal financial priorities. Watching the full broadcast offers a clearer picture of the candidates' communication styles beyond their campaign advertising.
What happens next
The debate will occur on October 27, 2026, followed by the general election on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local races, visit the Legislative Policy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TV News Check.
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