Statewide Iowa — Officials say details on the transition of power at the Iowa capitol “will be forthcoming,” but whenever Governor Terry Branstad leaves to become U.S. Ambassador to China, Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds will become the first woman to serve as Iowa’s governor.
Joni Ernst, the first female from Iowa to be elected to the U.S. Senate, says she is thrilled that Reynolds will be Governor.
Reynolds has been Iowa’s lieutenant governor since 2011. Reynolds was elected to four terms as treasurer in Clarke County before winning a seat in the state senate in 2008. Branstad asked her to be his lieutenant governor running mate in 2010. Ernst says Reynolds has been a “wonderful advocate” for HER political career.
Reynolds and her husband, Kevin, live in Osceola. Osceola Mayor Thomas Kedley says it’s “exciting” to think Reynolds will soon be governor.
Kedley has lived in Osceola for five years. He’s met Reynolds personally a handful of times, most recently when Reynolds spoke at last month’s Veterans Day observance in Osceola.
Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham of Sioux City shares a Des Moines apartment with Reynolds when they are both at work in the capitol city.
Durham says Reynolds “has been involved in every decision” made in the Branstad Administration over the past six years.
Durham has been in New York City this week, with Branstad, prospecting with businesses that might expand or relocate in Iowa — just as President-elect Trump’s team revealed Branstad will be the next ambassador to China. Trump hinted at the idea on November 6th during a rally in Sioux City. Durham was along for the governor’s trade mission to China in November, immediately AFTER the election.
Senator Ernst says Branstad’s opportunity is good news for Iowa.
Senator Chuck Grassley says Branstad’s “reputation as a straight shooter” will serve the U.S. well and Grassley predicts Branstad will get senate confirmation to the post of ambassador “very easily.”
