(NewsNation) — NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ has called the race for Iowa’s District 3 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of Rep. Zach Nunn. See the results of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate from across the nation here.
Republican Rep. Zach Nunn and Democratic challenger Lanon Baccam faced off in what was expected to be Iowa’s most contested House race.
Nunn was seeking a second term after winning the seat in 2022 by less than a single percentage point. With all of Iowa’s U.S. representatives part of the GOP, the race represented the Democrats’ best chance at flipping a seat.
Baccam entered the race after serving previously as a U.S. Department of Agriculture official under former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack. He was also on President Joe Biden’s campaign staff in Iowa in 2020.
Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here.
Baccam, who ran on more of a moderate platform during the primary election season, advanced to Tuesday’s general election by defeating fellow Democrat Melissa Vine in the primary.
After defeating incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne to flip the seat for the Republicans two years ago by a razor-thin margin, Nunn found himself engaged in another difficult fight against Baccam in the lead to Tuesday’s election.
The race, which the Cook Political report said was leaning Republican initially, shifted to a toss-up and joined other key races around the country that would determine if Republicans can maintain their slim majority in the U.S. House moving forward.
In a televised debate, the two candidates sparred over key issues including the economy, abortion and immigration. The 3rd District, which covers the southwest portion of the state stretching from Des Moines to the Missouri border, leans Republican, according to the Des Moines Register.
See NewsNation’s election live blog with real-time analysis from our political experts and the latest race calls nationwide powered by Decision Desk HQ. Watch live results from the presidential election, important swing states and the balance of power in Congress. NewsNation will also be tracking your local state elections and impactful ballot initiatives around the country.
Nunn said that he would crack down on illegal border crossings if elected to a second term while also working to ensure that Medicare and Medicaid are guaranteed.
Baccam, whose parents immigrated to Iowa from Laos 40 years ago when they were part of a refugee resettlement program in rural towns across the state, said that he is running to give back to the state.
Heading into Tuesday’s election, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans control the chamber with 220 seats, while the Democrats occupy 212 and three vacancies.
