2 hours ago - Politics

Des Moines council members cross party lines to endorse Zach Nunn

Linh Ta

Des Moines city councilmembers Joe Gatto and Mike Simonson. — Des Moines City Council members Joe Gatto and Mike Simonson. Photos: Courtesy of the city of Des Moines and the Simonson campaign

Des Moines City Council members Mike Simonson and Joe Gatto, both Democrats, are featured in a TV advertisement this week for U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, the Republican incumbent running to keep his seat in Iowa's 3rd District.

Why it matters: The cross-party endorsements are efforts to appeal to voters beyond party lines, but they have also sparked backlash from Des Moines Democrats, including a pledge to withdraw future financial support.

State of play: In a television ad released by Nunn's campaign, Simonson and Gatto say they're supporting Nunn.

"I'm a moderate Democrat on the Des Moines City Council," Simonson says. "I'm supporting Rob Sand and I strongly support Zach Nunn."
"I'm not voting for Sarah Trone Garriott," Gatto says. "Zach Nunn delivers for Iowa."
Simonson and Gatto did not respond to Axios' request for comment.

Flashback: Last December, Trone Garriott's campaign released a list of local endorsements, which included Simonson.

In 2025, Simonson donated $7,500 to her, per FEC filings.

The other side: Des Moines City Council member Carl Voss has endorsed Trone Garriott.

What they're saying: "Republicans, Democrats, and Independents support Zach Nunn because they know he delivers for Iowa," according to a statement from Mark Matava, a spokesperson for Nunn's campaign.

Trone Garriott's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Des Moines council members cross party lines to endorse Zach Nunn

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