Sarah Trone Garriott, running for Congress in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, clarifies her position on locker room access. She opposes allowing men into women’s locker rooms, a topic she feels opponents have misrepresented.
I’m a mom with two kids in Iowa public schools. Their education and safety keep me up at night. My opponent twists my record, so I need to set it straight,Trone Garriott said in a campaign video.
Despite her assurances, her voting history in the Iowa legislature presents a contrast. This complicates her efforts to challenge incumbent Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, in one of the nation’s tightest races.
Before securing the Democratic nomination, Republicans spotlighted parts of her record that appeared more aligned with progressive positions. Critics highlighted a Muslim prayer she delivered in the Iowa Senate and her role as a Lutheran minister in officiating a controversial wedding.
Trone Garriott’s perspective on bathroom policy became a focal point for her critics. Vice President J.D. Vance, in support of Nunn, commented on her voting record, particularly mentioning two significant votes. One vote passed in 2023 stopped schools from allowing bathroom access based on gender identity instead of biological sex. Another 2022 law set sports team eligibility based on biological sex.
Trone Garriott opposed both measures. Her earlier statements in 2023 suggested these policies stemmed from racial and gender anxieties. She described the policies as a response to challenges to traditional power structures, with legislation emphasizing private schools and parents’ rights.
We see responses in legislation and community conflict, often focusing on funding private schools and parents’ rights. Book bans, sports bans are framed as threats to women, claiming white men must protect against these threats,she stated.
Her campaign did not elaborate on how her previous votes relate to her current platform or if views have shifted over time. A spokesperson, Zach Schenkman, emphasized her priority as a parent is children’s safety, supporting parents’ right to make decisions for their children.
In her campaign video, Trone Garriott criticized the political emphasis on such matters, pledging to prioritize families. At least one Republican strategist expressed skepticism regarding her change in position, viewing her past record as incompatible with Iowa voters.
Incumbent Rep. Nunn previously held his seat by securing 51.8% against Democratic opponent Lanon Baccam in 2024. Trone Garriott now prepares to face Nunn in the upcoming general election.