Des Moines, Iowa — State Treasurer Roby Smith recited his oath of office in a ceremony at the Iowa Capitol Wednesday afternoon.
Smith’s term officially began January 1st.
Smith defeated Democrat Mike Fitzgerald, the nation’s longest serving state treasurer.
Smith’s margin of victory was about two-and-a-half points. Smith credits Republican Governor Kim Reynolds for leading him and other statewide GOP candidates to victory.
Smith, who’s from Davenport, served a dozen years in the Iowa Senate. He’s the first Republican from Scott County to win statewide office in nearly 50 years. Former Scott County Supervisor Roger Jepsen was elected to one term in the U.S. Senate in 1978 and lost his 1984 race for reelection.
