Today’s guest is Sarah Trone Garriott, the Democratic candidate seeking the party nomination in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. If successful in the primary, she will challenge incumbent Representative Zach Nunn in the general election. Currently, Senator Garriott represents Iowa Senate District 14 (covering Dallas County areas including Waukee, Adel, Van Meter, and parts of West Des Moines and Clive). In the State Senate she serves as the Ranking Member on the Health & Human Services Committee and also holds seats on the Commerce, Education, Natural Resources, HHS Budget Panel, and Administrative Rules Review committees.

Nathan Sage — Candidate Forum Summary

Who he is

* Background: Grew up working-class in a Mason City trailer park; emphasizes “average Iowan” roots.

* Service: Veteran of both the U.S. Marine Corps (2003–2007) and the U.S. Army (2008–2013) with three deployments to Iraq (2004, 2006, 2010).

* Civic/business: Former Knoxville Chamber of Commerce director; focused on rural main-street economies (e.g., recruiting RAGBRAI, raising funds for downtown events).

* Style: Says he’s “blunt, authentic, and emotional,” often shares personal stories (parents died of cancer; family financial struggles). Voters frequently tell him he “feels real.”

Campaigning experience so far

* 99-county tour: Says it’s meant to learn issues firsthand; two counties left.

* Unexpected parts: Constant travel and time away from family; surprised how many people respond to his authenticity.

* Voter mood he’s seeing: Mix of fear and anger about cost of living and loss of safety-net supports (e.g., SNAP). His campaign is pairing events with food drives (Iowa City/Johnson County and Des Moines).

Why he’s running / what differentiates him

* Working-class representation: Argues DC is dominated by wealth and lacks working-class voices; believes his life experience lets him connect with independents and some Republicans.

* No prior office: Frames lack of legislative experience as a positive—“not tainted by the system”—and says there isn’t time to “work up the ladder.”

* Primary contrasts: Positions himself as the candidate who can bring disaffected working-class voters “back to the Democratic Party.”

Core issues & positions (as discussed)

* Economic strain / safety net: Grew up on food stamps, understands month-to-month food insecurity; opposes cuts to SNAP and similar programs.

* Health care: Supports extending ACA premium tax credits (at least one year in the immediate term) to avoid coverage loss; links health access to personal experiences with late cancer diagnoses in family.

* Abortion & women’s health: “150% pro-choice.” Shares a personal miscarriage story; condemns clinic closures and criminalization fears; frames reproductive rights as fundamental freedoms.

* Immigration: For secure borders plus a realistic, affordable, faster path to citizenship for long-time residents; opposes heavy-handed enforcement tactics; open about not being an expert and wanting to learn from border-state colleagues.

* Foreign policy / defense: War-weary veteran who calls for accountability and restraint; critical of performative “muscle-flexing”; places trust in professional military leadership to avoid unnecessary risk to troops.

* Rural economy & farming: Says tariffs and federal chaos have hurt markets; wants to stabilize policy, diversify crops where infrastructure allows (e.g., vegetables, hemp), and work directly with farmers on near-term federal support.

Leadership approach

* Experience leading: NCO fireteam/squad leader; one-person chamber director; trained in facilitation (leadership minor at Kansas State).

* Method: “Shut up and listen,” hold tough conversations, and build coalitions across political lines to solve practical problems.

Why he believes he can win

* Electoral case: Claims he resonates with independents and some Republicans (including anecdotes of GOP voters sharing his videos).

* Identity pitch: “I am Iowa; I’m working class.” Says opponents will struggle to attack his service, background, or relatability.

Campaign notes & housekeeping

* Food-drive tie-ins at upcoming events; encouraged by participants to visit North Liberty and Coralville pantries due to surging demand.

* 99-county rule: Reiterates you “cannot win Iowa without a 99-county plan.”

Quick Takeaways

* A working-class veteran running on authenticity, safety-net protection, ACA extension, reproductive rights, and pragmatic immigration reform.

* Emphasizes listening tours, service-oriented events (food drives), and rural economic revitalization.

* Frames himself as the Democrat best able to rebuild trust with disaffected working-class voters and cross partisan lines.

Okoboji Mastery Circle

We’re extending the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat magic beyond the annual real-time event in September (27-30).

Beginning January 14 - the second Wednesday of the month - select speakers will recreate their most popular 90-minute workshops in an interactive Zoom format. This 10-session online series lets you keep growing and connected all year long.

Work with novelist Nicole Baart, or Peter Hedges, who adapts his fiction work to famous movies. Those are just two of the ten popular speakers who will be with throughout next year.

Special Offer:Register by November 15, and the full Early Bird amount you pay for the Okoboji Mastery Circle (OMC) will be applied toward your enrollment in the 2026 Okoboji Writers’ & Songwriters’ Retreat — making this the best deal of the year.

Reserve your spot today and keep the Okoboji spirit going all year long!

We have a lot of stories, plays, novels, opinion pieces, and memoirs to write, y’all. Let’s get to it.

Courage is contagious.

Save the date for the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative holiday party, December 17. We will be gathering at the Harkin Institute, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, from 7-9:00 p.m.

Incase you missed Sunday’s Roundup:

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