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In unanimous vote, Republicans select Nunn for SD15 seat

Newton Daily News - 8/17/2018

Aug. 17--In a joint-special election Thursday night, members of the Jasper and Polk County Republican Parties tapped State Rep. Zach Nunn to replace Tim Shay as the party's candidate for Iowa Senate District 15.

Nunn, seen by many as a rising star in the Republican Party, boasts an impressive resume. A two-term member of the Iowa House, the Altoona native is a combat veteran with over 700 hours of flight time. Nunn and his wife Kelly reside in Bondurant with their three children.

Polk County Republican Party chair Wes Enos nominated Nunn and urged party members to support their new candidate. Enos, a city council member in Bondurant, told the audience it was during a conversation at the Pentagon that Enos urged Nunn to move back to Iowa.

"It's my pleasure to nominate a good friend of mine," Enos said. "It's kind of fun to see him tonight, this is the culmination of the last four years."

Once Nunn took the podium, he wasted no time before rallying party members. When he first ran for the Iowa House in 2014, Nunn said he explored running for the Senate, but ultimately chose to run for a seat in the House. Citing voting records, Nunn told listeners Thursday night the advantage Democrats have enjoyed in the district is shrinking rapidly. In 2014, there were 2,500 more registered Democrats than Republicans in SD 15, but that number has shrunk every year. Now, Democrats are holding onto a slim 700 vote lead in the district.

Despite losing ground to Republicans, Democrats have held the seat for more than four decades.

"We have a real opportunity now to start moving forward with a party that benefits the community," Nunn said.

In a brief speech, Nunn touted his previous experience and said, if elected, he'll make education a focus. After being elected in 2014 for his first term, Nunn was named vice chair of the House Education Appropriations subcommittee. After his re-election in 2016, he became the majority whip, the third highest ranking Republican of the 59-member caucus.

Nunn led the house bill that extended funding for Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) during the 2018 legislative session. SAVE, a one percent local option sales tax, is used to help school districts address infrastructure needs. While highlighting his involvement, Nunn said SAVE funds provide a long-term future for local school districts.

"School is a cornerstone to moving forward," Nunn said. "You pair that with a strong economy and you have a winning formula."

Republicans may have the momentum in the district, especially after Democratic candidate Taylor Van De Krol announced his departure from the race Wednesday morning. Citing "personal reasons" Van De Krol was already pinch-hitting for the Democrats after popular incumbent Chaz Allen dropped out of the race earlier this summer. Southeast Polk school board member Lori Slings, who finished behind Van De Krol in a special election, announced Thursday she intends to run for the seat. In a race that's seen candidates come and go, Republicans feel like they have the momentum.

"Democrats have thrown out candidate after candidate after candidate," Nunn said. "We know we have a strong party."

Nunn, who has already been knocking on doors in the district, told attendees at the special election he'll need their help to carry that momentum to the statehouse this fall.

"If we're going to win this race we're going to need people like you and me working together," Nunn said. "When it comes down to it the letter behind my name doesn't matter as much as you talking to your friends and people in your community."

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com

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(c)2018 the Newton Daily News (Newton, Iowa)

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