CLAIM: Vulnerable Democrat Cindy Axne’s (IA) first campaign ad targeting Republican challenger Zach Nunn claimed he took money from an amusement pack CEO and then “sponsored legislation to loosen amusement park safety rules,” which led to an 11-year-old’s death.

VERDICT: Misleading. Axne’s ad left out information indicating that the bill he voted for was not only bipartisan legislation that was voted on by Republicans and Democrats, including Democrat party leadership — Iowa Democrat Party Chair Ross Wilburn and Iowa Democrat House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst. Additionally, the bill that was voted on did not affect the ride that led to the child’s death.

Axne, one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the country heading into the November election, looks to have an early start on-air in Iowa. However, the ad conveniently left out critical information, which misleads the voters in Iowa’s Third Congressional District.

The entire ad stated:

An 11-year-old boy is dead after the accident on a ride at Adventureland. The “Raging River” ride had 17 safety violations at the time of the July accident, a tragedy that could have been avoided. But Zach Nunn took money from Adventure Land CEO then sponsored legislation to loosen amusement park safety rules. A child died. Zach Nunn put his big donors ahead of the safety of Iowa families. I’m Cindy Acne, and I approve this message because I’ll always put Iowa families…

The amusement park Adventureland is a major business in Nunn’s state Senate district, and members of the Krantz family, which either owned or controlled the park from 1973 until late 2021, had contributed money to his campaign — $5,000 to his state races and about $34,000 his U.S. House race, the Des Moines Register noted.

Nunn also sponsored and voted for legislation in 2021 to lower the minimum age for operating amusement park rides from 18 to 16-years-old to help ease staffing shortages. In late 2021, an 11-year-old died on the “Raging River” ride at Adventureland.