Constituents deliver petition with hundreds of signatures to Congressman Nunn’s office asking for a public town hall

Yesterday, a group of Iowans visited Congressman Zach Nunn’s Ottumwa office to deliver a petition, signed by more than 200 constituents, demanding he hold a public town hall. 

Nunn has not held a town hall since he was elected, leaving many of his constituents feeling like they aren’t being heard. In addition to delivering the petition, constituents at the visit shared how they will be impacted by his refusal to lower health care costs amid the current affordability crisis. 

Deb Schlechter from Ottumwa spoke about the stories shared during the office visit, and emphasized the need for Congressman Nunn to hear these stories.

“It is important for him to hear personal stories, so that he can fully appreciate the urgency of the moment,” Schlechter said. “Today, several of us shared our personal stories about the healthcare crisis. I worry about what the cuts will mean to the health of the younger ones in my family. There is a lot of uncertainty for people of all ages. With the health care cost increases, some people are going to go without insurance because of the high costs.”

Brenda Curran from Ottumwa said that it is crucial for Congressman Nunn to hear from his constituents, because it is his job to represent them. 

“We encourage Congressman Zach Nunn to host a public event in Ottumwa so that he can listen to the concerns of his constituents in Wapello County,” Curran said. “It would be of value to him to get the information firsthand, directly from the people that he serves.”

Mary Stewart from Ottumwa wonders where her Congressman has been, she said he certainly wasn’t hearing from constituents back home in Iowa.  

“Where is Zach Nunn? He’s not showing up for Iowans who are suffering everyday from skyrocketing grocery prices and insurance prices, or voting for our best interests,” Stewart said. “People are struggling and Congressman Nunn voted in favor of cuts to Medicaid. Why is he afraid to listen and speak to the people he serves?”