(IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – In his first visit to Iowa since taking office, Vice President JD Vance told the crowd in Des Moines Tuesday reelecting Republicans such as U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn in 2026 is vital in order to support businesses, workers and U.S. citizens. “This is a contest between a party that wants to take all of your money and give it to illegal aliens and a contest between gentlemen like Zach Nunn who fight every single day for you,” Vance said.
Vance’s event was officially a White House address to American workers, but it also came as an effort to support Nunn in the Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District in the midterms. Nunn’s reelection bid, alongside U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ campaign to keep the 1st District in Republican control, are expected to be among the most competitive U.S. House races in the 2026 election, both rated as “toss-ups” by political forecasters such as Cook Political Report.
The event was held at the Ex-Guard manufacturing facility in Des Moines, a business that makes grille guards for pickup and semi-trucks. Vance said reelecting Nunn is a way to help protect companies such as Ex-Guard, which he said began business in 2009 — something Vance characterized as a ” tough thing to do” during a global recession. Vance said he spoke with the owners of Ex-Guard before coming to the stage, and they told him the tax cuts made through the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” most of which took effect four months ago, have allowed their business to expand, give workers higher salaries and hire new employees. He said critics of Trump’s tariff policies are attacking the very policies that discourage other countries from undercutting wages and taking jobs from Iowa workers. Vance said progress on such issues would be halted if Democrats regain control of Congress in the 2026 midterms.
Nunn, who introduced Vance at the event, criticized Trone Garriott in his speech while highlighting his own commitment to bipartisanship. Trone Garriott said in a statement Tuesday she was running for Congress “because it’s time someone stood up for Iowans.” She criticized Nunn for aligning himself with Vance.
