SouthernWorldwide.com – A Democratic candidate vying for a competitive House seat in Iowa has stirred controversy with past remarks expressing discomfort with the “whiteness” of her hometown.
Sarah Trone Garriott, 47, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for one of the nation’s most closely contested congressional districts, is facing criticism for comments made nearly a decade ago.
These remarks surfaced in a podcast episode, where Trone Garriott recalled her reaction upon returning to northern Minnesota after a period in New Mexico.
“Yeah, I remember the first time I came back to northern Minnesota to visit, and I was kind of shocked at how many white people there were,” Trone Garriott stated in the resurfaced audio.
“The feeling was very different. I was like ‘whoa,’ and again I was uncomfortable in a different way,” she added, reflecting on her experience.
The district Trone Garriott aims to represent, Iowa’s 3rd congressional district, is demographically significant, with approximately 78% of its population identifying as white, according to DataUSA.
Republicans have seized on these comments, arguing they are out of touch with the district’s constituents. Zach Kraft, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, criticized Trone Garriott’s remarks.
“Every time Sarah Trone Garriott’s handlers let her loose, the wicked witch of woke finds a new way to insult Iowans,” Kraft stated. “We haven’t even reached the general election yet, and she has already managed to call nearly every person in the state racist, sexist, and bigoted.”
The Cook Political Report classifies Iowa’s 3rd congressional district as a “toss-up” race, one of 16 such contests in the upcoming midterms, with a slight Republican lean of R+2.
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Trone Garriott’s past statements also suggest a belief that political representation should be closely aligned with demographic makeup, a sentiment that has drawn scrutiny.
In a separate interview with the University of Iowa in 2022, Trone Garriott discussed her observations of legislative practices in Kosovo, including the implementation of demographic quotas.
“They actually have quotas, and I know that’s a dirty word for some people, but they have requirements of how many people from different ethnic backgrounds, religious minorities — and gender balance is part of their structure,” Trone Garriott said, referring to the Balkan nation.
“And so, there’s kind of a preference for those folks that are underrepresented to be in government. Which I think is really important to bring those voices out,” she elaborated.
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Trone Garriott pursued higher education in her home state before earning advanced degrees.
She obtained a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Her early career included a stint as a volunteer with AmeriCorps VISTA, an anti-poverty program, in New Mexico. It was during this time, she has indicated, that she became more aware of the demographic composition of her native region.
Trone Garriott’s professional path led her to become an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She served in various ministry roles across Pennsylvania, Chicago, Virginia, and eventually Iowa.
Transitioning to public service, Trone Garriott entered politics and has served in the Iowa State Senate since 2021. She announced her candidacy last year to challenge incumbent Rep. Zach Nunn in the state’s third congressional district.
