Zach Nunn, the Republican representing Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, said conflict in the Middle East and Strait of Hormuz trade complications could cause mass famine if farmers around the world don’t get access to necessary fertilizers.
Nunn spoke at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox Monday, which also happened to the the fair’s veteran’s day. Nunn, who served in the U.S. Air Force, said working in Congress is “not about the bipartisan tagline.”
“It’s about being able to do what we’ve always done in the military, what each of us do for our families: come up with a plan, work hard, deliver,” Nunn said.
When asked by reporters after his soapbox speech about the nation’s current conflict with Iran, Nunn said he, “never want(s) to see Iran with a nuclear weapon.” Nunn said strategies like his Maximum Pressure Act to impose sanctions on Iran, and the Preventing the Escalation of Armed Conflict in Europe, or PEACE Act, are “logical solutions” to some of the “really hard problems” in the conflict.
“I never want to see the number one sponsor of terrorism being able to threaten the United States or take more U.S. lives, including our own soldiers,” Nunn said. “And I never want to see Iran trying to threaten the rest of the world by what they’re doing in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Nunn said “walking away” from the conflict, as he alleged Democrats have suggested, is “not a solution” to the conflict.
Nunn said he has spoken with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent — who was recently in Iowa — about setting up a “humanitarian corridor” to bring fertilizer inputs through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains inaccessible due to ongoing conflicts with Iran. He noted there would be a “mass famine situation” if a solution isn’t reached to export the farm input.
“Let’s put pressure where pressure needs to be put on the people who would starve half the planet,” Nunn said, pointing to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
He said the U.S. also needs to become more energy and fertilizer “independent” to tackle these issues.
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX.
Nunn’s soapbox speech focused largely on his efforts and accomplishments while in office; he is running for reelection against Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott.
A person in the gathered crowd yelled at Nunn to support the release of the “Epstein files,” investigative files about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The jeer was quickly overwhelmed with a “U.S.A.” chant from Nunn’s supporters crowding the stage near the fair’s Grand Concourse.
Nunn said “I agree with you, brother” and noted that he voted in favor of releasing the files.
Candidates speak at Register Soapbox
Monday was the third day of candidate speeches at The Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the state fair. Here’s the schedule.
Read about previous speakers:
Republican gubernatorial candidate: Zach Lahn
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate: Josh Turek
Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate: Thomas Laehn
Independent 1st Congressional District candidate: Michael Bridgford
Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate: Joe Mitchell
Independent 2nd District Congressional District candidate: Dave Bushaw
Libertarian 2nd District Congressional candidate: Rick Stewart
Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidate: Sarah Trone Garriott
Republican 4th Congressional District candidate: Chris McGowan
Democratic state treasurer candidate: John Norwood
Democratic secretary of state candidate: Ryan Peterman
The congressman was joined by his wife and several of his children, whom Nunn said had competed in some of the state fair agriculture events, including showing sheep, goats and a ram.
Nunn said he has worked to support families, by pushing for things like adoption and foster care tax credits and policies to support in-vitro fertilization.
What we grow
Nunn said he has stood up for “what we grow here” and mentioned the ongoing legislative effort to pass year-round, nationwide E15, a fuel blend with a higher percentage of ethanol. Iowa’s entire congressional delegation has been supportive of the issue which the industry argues would drive new demand for corn.
Nunn said that despite D.C.’s persistent response to “wait” on passing the measure, “we fought back” and passed a House bill that would allow the year round sale of the fuel.
While the House passed its version of a farm bill, the Senate Agriculture Committee has not advanced its version of the bill, which included a provision for E15.
Nunn was also joined Monday by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Iowa State Fair.
Nunn also spoke about blocking members of Congress and their families from owning or trading individual stocks. He said this is an issue he and his opponent agree on. Nunn led efforts to try and force a vote on the issue in the House.
“Here’s the reality: when Washington spends more time making themselves rich, they spend less time taking care of the country,” Nunn said.
Trone Garriott spoke at the Soapbox Friday and criticized Nunn’s actions to hold China accountable.
The Des Moines Register Political Soapbox continues through the rest of the Iowa State Fair, the full schedule can be found online.
This article has been updated to clarify Nunn’s policy priorities toward Iran.