“Iowans want people who have real world experiences that have a record of delivering on things like I have over time – in my experiences working with veterans at the USDA, in my experience delivering on programs for farmers and ranchers.” (Iowa Capital Dispatch, 11/9/23)

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“As a combat engineer, I was on the frontlines detonating unexploded ordinance and weapons caches. I was proud of my service and grateful to make it home.” (weareiowa.com)

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“After the Vietnam war my parents fled Laos and became refugees. When the Tai dam people arrived here in Iowa, we were welcomed by communities across the state ... The freedoms and liberties we have here in America are central to why I enlisted in the Army and wanted to serve our country in 2004. I deployed to Afghanistan as a combat engineer. We fought for freedom of the Afghan people against a repressive regime.” (Lanon Baccam Statement on Taiwan, 9/16/24)

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Baccam is running for office “because he believes all Iowans should have the opportunities afforded to him and his family: access to good-paying jobs, affordable health care, the ability to retire with dignity, and protection of women’s reproductive freedoms.”  (Ballotpedia)

 

BACKGROUND + EXPERIENCE

Lanon Baccam is a combat veteran + former member of the US Army National Guard. The son of Laotian refugees, he is a native of Mount Pleasant, Iowa + currently resides in Des Moines. He is a graduate of Drake University.

“I have an extensive history of public service and civic engagement.  I have over 10 years of serving in various roles at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) including as Deputy Under Secretary for Farm + Foreign Agricultural Services + Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison + more recently as the deputy chief of staff at USDA” (Des Moines Register, 9/25/24)

 

ON THE ISSUES

Lanon Baccam’s priorities as detailed on his campaign website include:

• An economy that works for Iowans

• Protecting Social Security + Medicare

• Standing up for reproductive rights

• Fighting for small towns + rural communities

• Bringing Iowans together

 

POLITICS IN IOWA

Iowa District 03 covers 21 counties in central + southern Iowa, including the cities of Dews Moines, West Des Moines, Winterset, Osceola + Ottumwa. Iowa has emerged as a solid Republican state over the last several Presidential election cycles. However, Lanon Baccam’s race against incumbent Zack Nunn is rated toss-up by the Cook Political Report indicating Iowa 03 is an excellent Democratic pick-up opportunity. (Toss-up races are the most competitive races – there are 26 such House races in all according to Cook. Either party has a good chance to prevail.)