NEW REPORT: Instead of Lowering Costs, Nunn Allegedly Tried to Clear the Field in Iowa’s 3rd District Race
Voters Deserve Leaders Who Focus on Iowa, Not Their Own Interests
DES MOINES, IA — A new report details concerning actions by U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, alleging that he warned Libertarian congressional candidate Marco Battaglia that he should withdraw from the race or face legal action; followed days later by a formal ballot challenge that ultimately removed him from the November ballot.
According to the report, Rep. Nunn had dinner at Battaglia’s home in South Des Moines. After that meeting, an associate of Nunn’s sent messages stating that if Battaglia did not withdraw, they would “begin our process” of pursuing additional legal challenges. Battaglia was later struck from the ballot by the State Objections Panel.
“It’s really disheartening that instead of voting for lower costs, Nunn’s passing tax breaks for billionaires and twisting arms to get his way,” said Peter, a retired Iowan in Des Moines. “This is a clear example of how elites abuse systems like the courts and tax code to put themselves ahead.”
The episode has raised serious questions about where Nunn’s priorities lie.
“When a campaign believes the way to win is to pressure opponents out of the race instead of fighting for Iowans, that tells Iowans everything they need to know,” said Mazie Stilwell, Executive Director of Progress Iowa. “Nunn should have just voted to lower costs for Iowans. Instead, he supported tariffs, historic cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, and the war in Iran that’s raising gas prices. ”
Fairness for Iowa emphasized that regardless of party, voters should be able to choose from all qualified candidates in competitive elections without interference from campaign pressure tactics or coordinated challenges designed to narrow the field. The organization believes voters deserve access to more information and transparency and provides education when elected leaders look out for themselves and billionaires, ignoring the needs of working Iowans.