Iowans Use Art to Highlight Congressman Nunn’s Voting Record on the Economy

Constituents of the 3rd Congressional District art on display at “Framing a Fair Iowa” exhibit to demand Congressman Zach Nunn fight for working families

DES MOINES – On Friday evening, Iowans gathered at Raygun in the East Village for the "Framing a Fair Iowa" art exhibit, a powerful showcase highlighting the growing concern with Congressman Zach Nunn’s voting record on economic issues. Organized by the Fairness for Iowa coalition, the event featured over fifty works of art created by constituents since last fall, all focused on calling out Nunn’s support of corporate interests over the needs of working families and family farms.

The exhibit drew a diverse crowd of constituents, community leaders, and art enthusiasts, all united in their desire to hold Congressman Nunn accountable for his votes in Congress. The artwork illustrated the frustrations of Iowans who feel their voices are being ignored in favor of big corporations. 

“Events like this show the power of community and creativity in driving policy change. We are here to remind Congressman Nunn that his constituents expect him to fight for policies that benefit Iowans, not just the corporate elite," said Jen Sinkler, organizer for the Fairness for Iowa coalition.

The artwork vividly captured the impact of Nunn’s votes, including his support for the “Default on America” Act, which would have slashed funding for SNAP benefits, undermined IRS enforcement against tax cheats, and granted billions in tax breaks to oil and gas companies, cut farm loans, and reduced access to health care. Additional pieces highlighted his opposition to the Inflation Reduction Act, which reduces prescription drug prices and capped insulin costs. The exhibit provided a visual narrative of how these legislative choices would have adversely affected Iowa’s families and farmers.

“Being healthy is a nice place to be, but we are all just a day, a week, a month, or — if lucky — years away from needing serious care," said artist Kevin Marken. "Without the best of the best, insurance can drain your savings to the point of bankruptcy. That's just one reason it's important that our elected officials vote for good, supportive economic policies."

The event's success was marked not only by the compelling artwork but also by the critical discussions it inspired about the importance of holding elected officials accountable and the role of art in social activism. Throughout the evening, attendees engaged with the artists and each other, sharing their concerns about Congressman Nunn’s voting record and discussing ways to ensure their voices are heard.

The “Framing a Fair Iowa” exhibit stands as a bold statement from the people of Iowa, demanding that their representative prioritize their needs and work towards a fairer, more just society.

Photo courtesy of Eris Hawkins

Fairness for Iowa is a local grassroots campaign to uplift the stories of hard-working Iowans. We know that when the middle class does well, all of us do well — which is why we’re fighting on behalf of working Americans and holding corporations, wealthy executives, and the politicians who enable them accountable. Fairness for Iowa is a coalition of organizations, including: Iowa Citizen Action Network, Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 61, Health Care for America Now, Lower Drug Prices Now Iowa, Iowa Main Streets and Country Roads, and Progress Iowa.