Today Iowa Governor Terry Branstad became the longest serving governor in U.S. History. Today Branstad has served 20 years, 11 months and three days. The previous record by New York Governor George Clinton who served from 1777 to 1795 and then from 1801 to 1805. He later became the 4th Vice President of the United States serving under President James Madison from 1805 to 1812.
Branstad is serving his sixth term, his 2nd consecutive term. Branstad was elected the state’s 39th governor in the 1982 elections. He served from 1983 until 1999. Prior to that Branstad served one term as Lt. Governor and three terms as a State Representatives. After his first tenure as Governor he then served as President of Des Moines University until jumping back into the 2010 gubernatorial race, winning the Republican nomination then defeating incumbent Governor Chet Culver. He won his sixth term in 2014 defeating Democratic challenger State Senator Jack Hatck (D-Des Moines) and Libertarian challenger Dr. Lee Heib.
In his entire political career Branstad has never lost an election.
“In his nearly 21 years as governor, Terry Branstad has consistently demonstrated that he is a reformer focused on improving the lives of every Iowan. Because of his leadership and service, Iowa is a stronger and more prosperous state,” said RGA Chair Governor Susana Martinez (R-NM). “Governor Branstad has committed a significant portion of his life to the betterment of his state, and his dedication serves as a bright example of the success a Republican governor can accomplish using conservative pro-jobs, pro-growth policies. The RGA congratulates Governor Branstad on this tremendous milestone of becoming the longest-serving governor in American history and we look forward to the positive results he will continue to get for Iowa.”
Some reaction around Twitter:
@TerryBranstad Congrats on your milestone!! 🇺🇸❤️ #iagop #iagov pic.twitter.com/4FZJmUBhkw
— Naomi C (@naomicorrie) December 14, 2015
Congratulations to Iowa Gov Terry Branstad, who today becomes US longest serving governor. #iagov pic.twitter.com/0r7saMt6wR
— Karen Fesler (@Gabesmom) December 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/djamison/status/676412822994198528
Congrats to Gov. Terry Branstad on becoming the longest serving governor in American history. #MilestoneMonday
— Engage Iowa (@Engage_Iowa) December 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/KimReem/status/676476894921883648
Congratulations Gov. @TerryBranstad, today he becomes the nation's longest serving governor! #iowahistory pic.twitter.com/7qPsuCQFFi
— Iowa Culture (@IowaCulture) December 14, 2015
Congratulations to @TerryBranstad on his service to Iowa and on him achieving longest serving governor in U.S. History!
— Bob Vander Plaats (@bobvanderplaats) December 14, 2015
This seemed like a decent choice of tshirt @TerryBranstad becomes longest serving gov in US history today #iagov pic.twitter.com/rxghNTdTmR
— Ryan Frederick (@ryanwfrederick) December 14, 2015
@TerryBranstad is the longest serving governor in US history! Thank you for serving Iowans! pic.twitter.com/sGNDRCpirk
— SC Republicans (@SimpCoCRs) December 14, 2015
Congratulations to Iowa Gov Terry Branstad- Longest serving Governor in US history! pic.twitter.com/Lr5QTCnLJD
— Iowa GOP 2DEC (@Iowa2DEC) December 14, 2015
Congratulations & Thank You for your long & dedicated public service to the @StateOfIowa_ @TerryBranstad pic.twitter.com/uPirkMLtLP
— Jim Nussle (@JimNussle) December 14, 2015
Congratulations to Iowa Gov. @TerryBranstad on becoming the longest serving governor in our nation's history today! https://t.co/ZXvSLBhHmW
— Rod Blum (@RepRodBlum) December 14, 2015
Congratulations to @TerryBranstad – America's longest serving Governor in history. Very good man, great public servant.
— Nick Ryan (@NicholasTRyan) December 14, 2015
Congratulations, @TerryBranstad on reaching this historic milestone: https://t.co/Lmh3JDSIEj
— The FAMiLY LEADER (@theFAMiLYLEADER) December 14, 2015
Congrats Gov. @TerryBranstad – as of today, the longest-tenured governor in US history. It is good to have you as a neighbor!
— Dennis Daugaard (@SDGovDaugaard) December 14, 2015
Congrats to Iowa Governor @TerryBranstad https://t.co/JBTXbUoozl
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) December 14, 2015
Congrats to Iowa's @TerryBranstad as he becomes the longest serving governor in U.S. history today! -John #iacaucus pic.twitter.com/i34S7RPgVL
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) December 14, 2015
Congrats to Iowa Gov. @TerryBranstad on becoming the longest-serving governor in the history of our nation today! pic.twitter.com/DEfLZoewn5
— Pete Ricketts (@PeteRicketts) December 14, 2015
Congrats to my friend #Iowa Gov. @TerryBranstad as he becomes the longest serving governor in US history today. pic.twitter.com/E5cdMYIHW8
— Governor Walker (@GovWalker) December 14, 2015
Congratulations to Governor @TerryBranstad, the longest serving governor in our nation's history! pic.twitter.com/p5261NTarH
— Chuck Long (@ChuckLongIowa) December 14, 2015
Congratulations to @TerryBranstad for becoming America's longest serving governor.
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) December 14, 2015
Congratulations to #Iowa Governor @TerryBranstad on today becoming Americans longest serving Governor! #Iowaproud
— Dr Cody Hoefert (@drcodyhoefert) December 14, 2015
Congratulations to my Governor,Terry Branstad, who is now officially the longest serving governor in American history!
— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) December 14, 2015
Of course, not everyone is celebrating.
Iowans are not celebrating @TerryBranstad's failed leadership https://t.co/lOxfMF0ebi #ialegis
— Iowa Democrats (@iowademocrats) December 14, 2015
Also Branstad’s long service has some Iowans discussing whether or not Iowa should have term limits for their governors like many states have. This, of course, would require amending the Iowa Constitution which is no small task.