Photo credit: Gage Skidmore (CC-By-SA 2.0)
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Photo credit: Gage Skidmore (CC-By-SA 2.0)
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore (CC-By-SA 2.0)

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:

https://twitter.com/naomileinen/status/676412734888480768

https://twitter.com/djamison/status/676412822994198528

Of course, not everyone is celebrating.

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.

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