Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) has transformed the Iowa State Fair into a strategic platform for promoting President Donald Trump’s "Big, Beautiful Bill Act," Bloomberg reported Sunday.
The Iowa State Fair has long been a significant venue in American politics, serving as a place for politicians to engage with constituents.In the age of social media, its role has only grown, with videos of politicians participating in fair activities often going viral.
According to the report, Nunn is using the event to spotlight provisions such as the expanded child tax credit and temporary cuts on taxes for tips and overtime.
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In a campaign video filmed atop a John Deere tractor under the August sun, Nunn engages with a constituent, Sarah Curry, who credits the expanded child tax credit for helping pay for her child's speech therapy.Nunn plans to continue filming at the fair to promote more benefits of the legislation.
This early fairground push underscores Nunn’s strategy to frame economic issues, especially the Trump tax cuts and tariff disputes with major agricultural trading partners — as central to his reelection fight.
Democrats, in turn, view Iowa’s two swing districts as critical to retaking the House and are preparing to clash on these fronts.
Democrat Jennifer Konfrst, who is working to unseat Nunn, told Bloomberg she approaches Iowans at the fair asking them what keeps them up at night and the answer is usually “costs.”
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She added: “What I am talking about with the big bill is connecting the dots between who got the biggest tax cuts — that was billionaires — and what the impact will be.
“Their hospital might have to close or they will have less access to health care," she said.
The report mentioned a significant moment at the fair for Democrats when a mother challenged Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) directly over Medicaid.
In June, Ernst sparked backlash by brushing off concerns with the remark “we’re all going to die." It is unclear whether she’ll seek re-election in 2026.
Amid the crowd in a wheelchair at the Democratic booth, 95‑year‑old retiree Mary Campos poignantly asked, “There are some people who are receiving benefits who shouldn’t be. But does that mean you condemn the whole society because of that?”