Accusations Against Iowa State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott Spark Controversy
Recent claims by Iowa Representative Zach Nunn and other Republican figures have stirred debate, as they allege that Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott officiated a Satanic wedding. These assertions are false.
Trone Garriott, a Lutheran minister and current state senator, is campaigning against Nunn, who is considered one of the most vulnerable House Republicans in the upcoming elections.
In 2023, Trone Garriott took part in the Des Moines Storytellers Project, sharing a personal narrative under the theme of “love.” She recounted an experience from 2006 at a West Virginia church where she was training as a minister. There, a couple identifying as Satanists requested a marriage ceremony.
Although initially uncomfortable, Trone Garriott’s head pastor instructed her to proceed, selecting a Bible verse for the occasion. She reflected on this experience as a lesson in extending goodwill to others, despite differing beliefs.
“It’s hard work to love one another and we often need to be reminded how,” Trone Garriott stated.
However, Trone Garriott did not perform the wedding ceremony, as she was not qualified to do so at the time. The service was Christian, conducted in a Lutheran church with New Testament readings.
Despite these facts, Nunn and his supporters have presented the event in a misleading light. At a Clarke County Republican Liberty barbeque on June 23, Nunn claimed, “[Trone Garriott] feels that Iowa is too white, too Christian, too male to be successful,” and accused her of officiating “demonic weddings.” This statement was reported at the event.
Further fueling the narrative, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) posted on social media in April, asserting that “Trone Garriott officiated a SATANIST WEDDING” and labeling Democrats as “NUTS.”
Similar rhetoric appeared in various comments from Republican spokespeople.
Another line of criticism inaccurately claims Trone Garriott described Iowa’s private Christian schools as “white enclaves” and “segregation academies” during a 2023 sermon. In reality, she explained that some Christian schools originated in the 1970s as a response to racial integration, without suggesting that current schools practice racial discrimination.
These contentious statements may indicate a sense of urgency among Republicans. A March poll by Conservatives for America showed Nunn leading by a slim margin of just one percentage point. Trone Garriott has raised $2.2 million in campaign funds last quarter, surpassing Nunn’s $968,000.
The Cook Political Report has classified the race as a toss-up, reflecting its competitive nature.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
