(Radio Iowa) – Two Democrats are running in Tuesday’s third district primary for the chance to challenge Republican Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant in the General Election. Lanon Baccam (luh-NON buh-KAHM) of Des Moines and Melissa Vine of West Des Moines are both first time candidates. Baccom, who was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, served in the Iowa National Guard for eight years. He’s also worked 10 years at positions within the U-S-D-A for former Iowa Governor and current U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has endorsed Baccam.

“I think I have a level of experience right now…to leverage the incredible resources and programs all across the federal government and to bring those resources back to the third district,” Baccam says. “That’s really important.”

Vine, a recent law school graduate, is executive director of a non-profit that provides services to women recovering from a traumatic experience. She’s also a single mother to four boys. “About 10 years ago I got out of an abusive marriage and overnight I went from being a wealthy small business owner to having zero dollars to my name,” Vine says. “I was checking groceries for $8.50 an hour to make ends meet.”

Both candidates say the number one issue for Democrats in 2024 is to respond to the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade. Baccam says politicians should let women, the families and doctors make decisions about abortion. “Zach Nunn holds an extreme position when it comes to abortion. People see that. They know it,” Baccam says. “It is completely out of step where Iowans are on this issue.”

Vine also supports a federal law to legalize abortion. “I really think it’s important in light of abortion being a top issue to get me into the General Election to take on Zach Nunn and flip the House,” Vine says. Vine fired her campaign manager and recently paid a state fine after the Iowa Ethics Board found her campaign made contributions to a political action committee as it was deciding who to endorse in this race. Vine says the incident is not an issue with the voters she’s talking to. “They are more interested in the issues like abortion, our economy and moving away from extremism,” Vine says, “so that’s what our campaign is focused on.”

Baccam says voters bring up the same issues to him. “People are concerned about our democracy,” Baccam says. “They see and sense people are moving apart and they just really want a sense of community again.”

There are 21 counties in Iowa’s third congressional district, including the cities of Red Oak, Atlantic Osceola and Ottumwa as well as the Des Moines metro.