Iowa

US Rep. Zach Nunn reconsidering whether to run for Iowa governor, source says

Published

6 months ago

July 7, 2025

Press Room

US Rep. Zach Nunn reconsidering whether to run for Iowa governor, source says

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn had previously taken the option of running for governor off the table.
Now that Attorney General Brenna Bird has decided to forego a campaign, a senior source within Nunn’s operation said the primary field is “reset.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn is reconsidering his decision to run for governor in 2026 now that Attorney General Brenna Bird has decided to forego a campaign, a senior source within Nunn’s operation told the Des Moines Register.

Nunn, who is serving in one of the country’s top targeted congressional districts, had previously taken the option of running for governor off the table.

“The reality is, Brenna choosing not to run changes the dynamics of the race tremendously,” the source said. “So in our view, the primary is reset.”

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds made a surprise announcement in April that she would not seek reelection, opening up the potential for a crowded Republican primary to succeed her.

Bird, a Republican, was one of Republican President Donald Trump’s highest profile Iowa endorsers in the lead-up to the 2024 Iowa caucuses, and she was expected by many to jump into the gubernatorial race with Trump’s endorsement. But she announced July 2 she would instead run for reelection as attorney general.

A Trump endorsement would have given Bird an enormous edge with a Republican primary electorate that is still very supportive of the president.

If Nunn does choose to run for governor, rather than seek reelection, the 3rd District race would face its own reset.

Nunn flipped the swing district in favor of Republicans in 2022 and held the closely contested seat again 2024.

Elections analysts at the Cook Political Report rate the race as “leans Republican.” But without an incumbent Republican defending it, the 3rd District could become more competitive.

So far, two Democratic candidates — state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott and state Rep. Jennifer Konfrst — have launched congressional campaigns against Nunn.

The source within Nunn’s operation said their team would be helpful in finding a successor to run in his place, and they believe a strong candidate at the top of the ticket will boost Republicans’ prospects across the board.

Two other Republicans have already formed gubernatorial campaigns: state Rep. Eddie Andrews and former state legislator Brad Sherman.

And U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra and state Sen. Mike Bousselot have mounted exploratory committees. Some of Feenstra’s colleagues endorsed his campaign following Bird’s announcement, including U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

Feenstra in particular has moved aggressively toward a formal launch, including launching statewide television ads.

State Auditor Rob Sand and political operative Julie Stauch have launched campaigns on the Democratic side.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR.

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Iowa

Iowa women’s basketball, Chit-Chat Wright sick, Kylie Feuerbach update

Published

4 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Iowa women’s basketball, Chit-Chat Wright sick, Kylie Feuerbach update

Hawk Central report
| Des Moines Register

Iowa women’s basketball was lacking some of its vocal leadership on Monday at Northwestern.

Part of that was the fact that Hawkeyes senior Kylie Feuerbach is still sidelined with an ankle injury. Another part was the fact that Chit-Chat Wright was not feeling great.

“No excuse, but Chat’s really sick,” Iowa coach Jan Jensen said after the Hawkeyes’ 67-58 victory. “She didn’t have the flu game like (Michael) Jordan. But she’s really sick, like fever. And I think that just threw her. She was really not vocal tonight. So we were kinda searching, because Chat had been coming (as a leader).”

Wright fought through it and played 34 minutes, scoring 12 points and dishing out seven assists.

Jensen confirmed that Feuerbach remains day-to-day. She hasn’t played since getting hurt Dec. 20 vs. UConn.

“I think (our leadership tonight) was by committee,” Jensen said. “It just wasn’t the same person every time. … It’ll be nice to get Kylie back in that lineup.”

Feuerbach, the team’s best perimeter defender, has missed Iowa’s last three games. Jensen said she is pleased overall with how her team has played defensively in Feuerbach’s absence.

“(Against Northwestern) it was more an ‘us’ problem offensively,” Jensen said. “Our defense held. … We turned the ball over 20 times.”

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Iowa

Two killed in Dubuque after bar fight escalates into police shooting

Published

16 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Two killed in Dubuque after bar fight escalates into police shooting

Two people are dead after a Dubuque bar fight escalated, with one man shooting another and then being killed by police.

An officer with the Dubuque Police Department was outside the Odd Fellows bar just before 1 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, when he witnessed a physical altercation, according to a news release from the Dubuque Police Department.

As the officer exited the patrol vehicle, an adult man allegedly used a handgun to shoot one of the people involved in the fight. The officer fired at the offender, who then ran into the bar.

The victim who was shot first was provided medical treatment by officers at the scene and then transported to MercyOne Hospital in Dubuque.

The offender was treated by police officers inside the bar and then transported to UnityPoint Finley Hospital.

Both were later pronounced dead.

The names of those involved are not being released at this time pending notification of family members.

The incident is being investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The officer involved was not injured and has been placed on critical incident leave in accordance with the department’s policies.

Nick El Hajj is a reporter at the Register. He can be reached at nelhajj@gannett.com. Follow him on X at @nick_el_hajj.

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