Democrat Jennifer Konfrst launches 3rd Congressional District campaign
House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst spoke during floor debate in the Iowa House March 18, 2025. She launched her campaign for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District seat May 8, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said Iowans in the state's 3rd Congressional District want a representative who will hear their concerns and speak up against President Donald Trump — actions she committed to take if elected representative in 2026.
Konfrst, a Windsor Heights Democrat, announced her campaign for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District Thursday. The seat, representing most of the Des Moines metro and large parts central and southern Iowa, is currently held by Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn.
Speaking with the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Konfrst said she decided to run for Congress after having conversations with Iowans in communities like Ottumwa, Red Oak, Atlantic and Jefferson, who told her they felt unheard by Nunn as they expressed frustrations about actions being taken by President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.
'They want someone who's going to go out there and stand up for them,' Konfrst said. 'Again, when Donald Trump says he's going to cut 83,000 jobs for veterans, and Congressman Nunn says nothing, that is unacceptable to these folks. … When tariff policy is so confusing that farmers are concerned about what's going to happen next, they don't expect their congressmen to just nod along and say, 'Okay, that sounds great' — they expect their congressman to stand up and say, 'Wait a minute, this isn't okay. What are we going to do for these folks?''
Democrats have accused Nunn of not holding public town halls in the months since Trump's election, a criticism Nunn has disputed. Town halls and other public events have become an issue of contention as the House GOP's campaign arm advised its members to not hold town halls in March. This guidance came as some GOP federal lawmakers face fiery crowds, upset with actions taken by Trump, Congress and Elon Musk's DOGE at these events. Some of Iowa's federal delegation, including U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, were met with jeers and heckling about immigration, federal government cuts and the future of programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid at recent town halls.
Konfrst said across Iowa's 3rd District, she has heard two major asks from Iowans: 'People want to be heard and they need a fighter.' She said she has talked to many voters who felt Nunn was not listening to what they are concerned about or advocating for them at the U.S. Capitol.
'A lot of promises happen during the campaign, but at the end of the day, are you listening when bad things happen?' Konfrst said. 'And are you fighting for us? Are you coming back to my community and listening? Are you in Wapello County listening, you know, to what voters here have to say — or are you not showing up?'
She said her experience, abilities and 'fighting spirit' make her the best choice to meet these voters' wants in 2026. Konfrst has served as House minority leader since 2021, having first been elected to the Iowa House in the 2018 midterm election. Many of the issues she has focused on in the Iowa Legislature are topics she wants to focus on in Congress, Konfrst said — economic, 'kitchen table' issues like the costs of health care and housing.
She also said preserving Social Security and Medicaid funding would be major priorities if elected.
'Right now there are so many unknowns, and I think that's what's causing so much concern,' Konfrst said. 'Folks are getting laid off, right? Layoffs are increasing in the state. You know, there are threats to Social Security every day. There are threats to Medicaid every day. People deserve to know that when they go to their mailbox, their Social Security checks going to show up. And with all of this uncertainty at every level, that every generation is facing right now, it's just not a good time to have confidence in the economy. And we need to do better.'
Konfrst is not the only Democrat running for the position — state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, launched her campaign on Monday. Others, including Rep. Austin Baeth, D-Des Moines, have also expressed interest in joining the race.
While Nunn has not officially announced he will seek reelection in 2026, he is expected to run again. Konfrst said her campaign focus will be on Nunn, not primary competitors.
Nunn first won election in 2022 against former U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, a Democrat, and won reelection in 2024 against Democratic challenger Lanon Baccam. But Iowa's 3rd Congressional District is rated as a 'tossup' by some political forecasters, including Sabato's Crystal Ball, and has been highlighted as a focus by U.S. House Democrats' campaign arm heading into the 2026 midterms.
While Republicans earned major victories in recent elections in Iowa, Konfrst said there is 'dissatisfaction' among many Iowa voters who elected Republicans to state and federal office.
'Republicans are in charge nationally, and they're in charge in Iowa,' Konfrst said. 'And if things aren't going well, it's time to bring some balance back. … It's not about Democrats and Republicans. It's about are we having every voice at the table that's going to work together to actually get something accomplished?'
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