Iowa Congressional Candidate Comments on Domestic Violence and Religion

In a 2023 interview, Iowa Democratic Congressional candidate Sara Trone Garriott, who is also a Lutheran pastor, expressed that churches and their leaders may hinder domestic violence survivors in leaving their abusive partners or seeking assistance.

Garriott, running against Republican Rep. Zach Nunn in the 3rd Congressional District, shared these insights in recently uncovered documents. The interview aired on January 31, 2023, during a podcast exclusive to Breitbart News.

She reflected on her desire to become a lawyer, stating, “There were a lot of religious issues related to violence against women.” According to her, religious figures tell victims that an abusive partner is a burden they must endure and that “God is punishing you through your husband.”

Garriott continued, saying, “Please don’t leave because it’s against God’s will.” Ultimately, she concluded that “the church was a barrier” for those seeking help.

In contrast to Garriott’s claims about the church, several religious organizations in Iowa actively support abuse victims, including Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Des Moines and the United Methodist Church Iowa Conference, which collaborate with churches to aid survivors.

Zach Craft, a spokesperson for the RNC, criticized Garriott’s stance, stating, “Even for the Wicked Witches of Wake, this is a new low and completely disgusting.” He suggested that while she critiques Christianity, she has praised Satanists.

These comments have put Garriott under heightened scrutiny, particularly regarding her past statements about Christianity. Notably, she read a Muslim prayer in the Iowa Senate, advocating for the elevation of minority voices, arguing that Christian perspectives were overly represented. In an op-ed, she reflected on how her studies at Harvard post-9/11 heightened her awareness of anti-Muslim bigotry, although she did not mention American casualties from those attacks.

Garriott introduced a bill for sex education in kindergartens but later avoided questions on it. Throughout her time in the Iowa Senate, she voted against various measures, including those restricting minors from gender reassignment procedures, prohibiting biological males from girls’ sports, and guidelines for restroom usage based on biological sex. She also opposed legislation banning gender identity discussions for students in certain grades and criticized private school voucher programs.

Her support for transgender rights is notable. In 2020, she pointed out that transgender individuals face significant food insecurity and often hesitate to seek help from food pantries. She acknowledged Transgender Visibility Day, sharing a piece titled “A Catholic Case for Choosing Their Own Pronouns,” which she deemed a “thoughtful and faithful reflection.” She argued that the LGBTQ movement poses challenges to traditional views on gender and relationships, calling it “very threatening” to the notion of a strong white male figure. Additionally, she supported Wiccan prayers at the Iowa State Capitol, stating, “Jesus engaged with pagans.”

In a speech at a Methodist church in 2023, Garriott described the intersection of faith and political power as “disgusting” and asserted that “religious and political violence” in public life is a serious concern. She associated “Christian nationalism” with “white patriarchy” and noted that figures like evangelist Billy Graham exemplify a problematic portrayal of “white Christian masculinity.”

Garriott also delivered a sermon from a progressive Christian community that identifies as LGBTQIA+ and endorses Black Lives Matter. This organization promotes various initiatives, including a “queer and Christian book club” and a transgender festival, while partnering with the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund to assist individuals seeking gender-related care.

As a participant in the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” program, which identifies competitive candidates, Garriott has made a name for herself in the Iowa Senate. Her record includes opposing a bill limiting SNAP benefits for illegal aliens and voting against measures requiring citizenship verification, while also advocating for immigration reform that prioritizes the safety of Americans.