Below is a round-up of reaction from Republican and conservative elected officials and leadership over Terry Branstad’s resignation as Governor of Iowa to be sworn in as Ambassador to China, as well as, Kim Reynolds being sworn in as Iowa’s 43rd and first female Governor.
Iowa House Speaker Linda Upmeyer (R-Clear Lake) issued the following statement:
I’d like to thank Governor Branstad for his decades of public service to the people of Iowa and congratulate him on his appointment as Ambassador to China. The future of our state is on a bright path thanks in part to the hard work and dedication of Terry Branstad. The people of Iowa are thankful for all that he has done as we look forward to his next endeavor working for all Americans.
While Iowans are losing a tenacious champion for our state, we’re getting someone that’s equal in Terry Branstad’s passion and enthusiasm with Kim Reynolds.
Kim Reynolds has the knowledge and experience to take on the role of Governor and move Iowa forward. Few rival her passion and dedication to improve our state and the people of Iowa’s lives.
Congratulations to Iowa’s 43rd Governor, Kim Reynolds. I look forward to working with her next session to make Iowa a great place to raise a family or grow a business.
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) released the following statement:
The position of U.S. Ambassador to China is one of the most important ambassadorial positions in the world, and I am pleased to see Iowa’s longest serving governor and my friend, Terry Branstad, confirmed for this position. As evidenced by his confirmation hearing, Governor Branstad knows China and its leaders well and will not only work tirelessly to advance our trade and economic interests with China, but will also skillfully tackle our other complex bilateral issues. I am so grateful for his service to Iowa, and I wish him and his family the very best.
Additionally, Iowa will be in good hands under now Governor Reynolds, who has made history today as our first female governor. Her leadership on critical issues over the last seven years, and her work alongside Governor Branstad, has prepared her well for this new role. Under Governor Reynolds, Iowa’s future remains bright.
Today is an extraordinary day for our state and our nation. It has been an honor to serve the people of Iowa alongside Terry Branstad and Kim Reynolds, and I look forward to continuing to work with both of these outstanding leaders in their new roles.
Governor Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin), the chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association, issued the following statement:
As a dedicated public servant, Governor Kim Reynolds will continue moving Iowa in the right direction. After serving more than six years as Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor, Reynolds has the experience and leadership to hit the ground running and build upon Governor Terry Branstad’s successful legacy. The RGA congratulates Governor Kim Reynolds on becoming Iowa’s 43rd governor and the state’s first female governor, and we look forward to her continued leadership.
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement congratulating Kim Reynolds:
I want to express my most sincere congratulations to Governor Reynolds. Today, Iowans not only gained a true conservative leader, but the first woman to be sworn in to the state’s highest office. As Governor Reynolds takes over for Ambassador Branstad, I’m confident she will be a firm and effective leader for the state of Iowa. Iowans are in good hands, and I look forward to working with her in advancing a conservative agenda.
Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann released the following statement:
With this mornings transition of power, Iowans can rest assured that they’re in more than capable hands with Governor Kim Reynolds. Thanks to her deep and experienced background – as a mother, and as an elected official on state and local level – she’s the single best prepared individual to assume the office. We are proud to have played our part in supporting Iowa’s first female Governor in Kim Reynolds, and we look forward to working with her to build a better Iowa.
SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser issued the following statement:
Kim Reynolds is an outspoken champion of unborn children and their mothers. She has fought to prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to fund the abortion industry, promoted the multitude of women’s health services in counties across Iowa, and helped shepherd crucial pro-life bills like the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act through the Iowa legislature. We are proud to see her advance to the Governorship and confident she will hit the ground running as she takes the reins of the most pro-life administration in state history.
Former Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, SBA List’s Vice President of Government Affairs, made the following statement:
Kim Reynolds is a stalwart defender of the innocent unborn and a longtime ally of SBA List. As a founding member of SBA List’s National Pro-life Women’s Caucus, she is in the vanguard of pro-life, pro-woman leadership and will make a fine Governor. We look forward to working together to build on the Branstad administration’s legacy and make even more pro-life gains in Iowa.
Congressmen Rod Blum (R-Iowa) and David Young (R-Iowa), as well as, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley tweeted their congratulations to Reynolds.
Congratulations to @IAGovernor @KimReynoldsIA on becoming Governor of our great state today!
— Rod Blum (@RepRodBlum) May 24, 2017
Congratulations to the 43rd Governor of our great state – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. #IA03 pic.twitter.com/PkGlpkxEco
— David Young (@RepDavidYoung) May 24, 2017
Congrats 2our new Governor Reynolds I look fwd 2working w u You're fully qualified working w Gov B over last 6 yrs +you're ready 2 take off!
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) May 24, 2017