Zach Nunn Bio
Zachary Martin Nunn (born May 4, 1979) is an American politician, Air Force officer, and cybersecurity consultant who has served as the U.S. representative for Iowa’s 3rd congressional district since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Nunn previously served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019 and in the Iowa Senate from 2019 to 2023, building a reputation as a policy-oriented legislator with experience in national security. Axios has described Nunn as having carved out a niche as a vocal moderate on key issues.
Beyond his work in elected office, Nunn is a career intelligence officer in the Iowa Air National Guard and has served on the National Security Council, focusing on cybersecurity policy. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Drake University, a Master of Science in military operational art and science from Air University, and a Master of Studies in international security from Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lives in Iowa with his wife and their children.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Martin Nunn was born on May 4, 1979, in Story City, Iowa, to Curtis and Luann Nunn. He was raised in nearby Altoona, where he grew up in a close family environment that encouraged civic involvement and public service. Nunn attended Southeast Polk High School, graduating in 1998 and earning recognition as an All American Scholar for his academic performance.
After high school, Nunn enrolled at Drake University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and international relations in 2002. While at Drake, he became active in campus governance, serving as a senator in the student senate beginning in 1999, an early step that hinted at his future political career. He later pursued advanced education in security studies, completing a Master of Science in military operational art and science at Air Command and Staff College, Air University, in 2004, followed by a Master of Studies in international security from Selwyn College, Cambridge, in 2007.
Path to US Politics
Zachary Martin Nunn’s entry into public service began during his college years, when he joined the student senate at Drake University. In 2002, while studying at Cambridge, he worked on the research staff of Sir Peter Bottomley, a member of the British House of Commons, an experience that broadened his understanding of legislative work in a different political system. He returned to the United States and, in 2004, joined the legislative staff of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa.
That same year, Nunn began his military career, joining the United States Air Force and later transferring to the Iowa Air National Guard. His dual focus on national security and policy led him to serve as director of cybersecurity policy for the National Security Council during the Obama administration, a position that sharpened his expertise in technology and defense issues. In 2014, Nunn launched his state-level political career, winning election to the Iowa House of Representatives for the 30th district.
Zach Nunn Career
Early Career (2015-2019)
Zachary Martin Nunn served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019, representing the 30th district. During this period, he built a record as a pragmatic Republican focused on fiscal responsibility, security, and technology-related issues. His work in the chamber helped him establish relationships across the political spectrum and prepared him for a move to the state senate.
Alongside his legislative duties, Nunn continued his military service, holding the rank of lieutenant colonel by 2021 and serving as commander of the 233rd Intelligence Squadron, 132nd Wing, of the Iowa Air National Guard. His combined experience in state politics and military intelligence informed his approach to policy and made him an appealing candidate for higher office.
Iowa Senate Breakthrough (2019-2023)
In 2019, Zachary Martin Nunn was elected to the Iowa Senate, where he represented the 15th district until 2023. His tenure in the upper chamber allowed him to take on broader policy debates and solidify his reputation as a thoughtful, security-minded legislator. During this time, he also worked as a cybersecurity consultant, bringing private-sector insight to his public role.
Nunn’s state senate years were marked by steady engagement with agriculture, defense, and technology issues important to central Iowa. His performance in the senate and his national security background positioned him to seek federal office in one of the country’s most closely watched congressional districts.
U.S. House of Representatives Era (2023-Present)
In 2021, Zachary Martin Nunn announced his candidacy for Iowa’s 3rd congressional district, a seat made more conservative-leaning after the 2020 redistricting cycle. He earned endorsements from prominent Republicans, including Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, and Tom Cotton, and won the June Republican primary. In November 2022, Nunn defeated incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne with 50.3 percent of the vote, a margin of roughly 2,100 votes, in one of the most competitive House races in the country.
Nunn was re-elected in 2024, defeating Democratic nominee Lanon Baccam with 51.9 percent of the vote. In Congress, he has been active on legislation targeting senior scams, Social Security overpayment recovery, and maternal healthcare access, often working with Democrats on bipartisan proposals. On June 11, 2024, he was promoted to the rank of colonel in the Iowa Air National Guard, reflecting his continued service alongside his legislative duties.
Notable Events and Milestones
Zachary Martin Nunn’s defeat of incumbent Cindy Axne in 2022 stood out as a marquee Republican victory in a closely watched district, earning him national attention. His subsequent 2024 re-election, which overcame a final Iowa Poll showing him trailing, further demonstrated his electoral strength. His promotion to colonel in 2024 highlighted his standing as a senior intelligence officer in the Iowa Air National Guard.
Zach Nunn Career Wins
Zachary Martin Nunn has built a record of electoral success at the state and federal levels, reflecting broad appeal in central Iowa. His victories include state legislative wins beginning in 2014, a hard-fought congressional victory in 2022, and a decisive re-election in 2024.
U.S. House Highlights
Nunn first won Iowa’s 3rd congressional district in 2022, defeating Democratic incumbent Cindy Axne with 50.3 percent of the vote to her 49.6 percent. In 2024, he secured a second term by defeating Democratic nominee Lanon Baccam with 51.9 percent of the vote, even as a final Iowa Poll had suggested he was behind. Together, these wins established him as a durable incumbent in a competitive district.
Other Wins and Achievements
Before his federal victories, Zachary Martin Nunn won election to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2014, serving the 30th district from 2015 to 2019, and to the Iowa Senate in 2018, serving the 15th district from 2019 to 2023. He has also earned recognition for his military service, reaching the rank of colonel in the Iowa Air National Guard, and for his cybersecurity leadership on the National Security Council.
Zach Nunn Family
Family Background and Personal Lineage
Zachary Martin Nunn was born and raised in Iowa, the son of Curtis and Luann Nunn. He grew up in Altoona, a community that helped shape his Midwestern values and interest in public service. His family has been a steady presence throughout his education, military service, and political career.
Personal Life
Zachary Martin Nunn married Kelly Nunn in 2013 in Washington, D.C. Kelly had two children from a previous marriage, a daughter named Addisyn and a son named Canon, whom Nunn has helped raise. Together, the couple had two daughters, Olympia in 2015 and Selwyn in 2019, and later fostered two biological sisters, Jayna and Aliya, during the winter of 2021, formally adopting them in April 2023. The family resides in Iowa, where Nunn continues to balance his congressional duties with his military service and family life.