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Congratulations to our new governor

Kim Reynolds is the first woman to serve as the state’s chief executive

Wednesday a landmark transition took place in the Hawkeye State. Gov. Terry Branstad resigned to assume the critical international role of U.S. ambassador to China. Kim Reynolds, who has been Iowa’s lieutenant governor since 2011, took the oath of office to succeed him as our state’s chief executive.

Branstad was both Iowa’s longest-serving governor and also the longest-serving governor in any state in U.S. history. That’s a record it is unlikely anyone else will match anytime soon. In becoming Iowa’s governor, Reynolds made a little history herself. She is the first woman to hold that post.

While she is new to the state’s top job, Reynolds brings a wealth of experience to her new role.

Before becoming lieutenant governor she served as a state senator and a county treasurer. As lieutenant governor, Branstad made her a key part of his administration. She participated in virtually all aspects of policymaking and was given critical leadership assignments that included:

• Co-chair of the Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress board, which is comprised of chief executive officers from the state’s major industries.

• Co-chair of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council in Iowa.

• Chair of the first-ever Iowa Energy Plan.

• Leading or participating in trade missions to Brazil, China, Germany, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Reynolds achievements have been noted and applauded nationally. For example, STEMconnector named her to their “100 Women Leaders in STEM.” She was selected by her peers to chair the National Lieutenant Governors Association for 2015-16.

Staying in touch with her fellow Iowans has remained a top priority for Reynolds. Each year she visits each of Iowa’s 99 counties at least once to learn from them how state government can better address their needs.

Reynolds’ roots in her home state are deep. A native of St. Charles, she and her husband, Kevin, have made their home in Osceola. They have three daughters and eight grandchildren.

The Messenger congratulates Reynolds on assuming this new position. During his more than two decades of service, Branstad in many ways defined what it means to be governor of Iowa. His stellar performance will be hard to equal. Reynolds, however, is ideally suited and exceptionally well prepared to succeed such a successful state leader. We are confident that she is up to the challenge and look forward to her time at the helm.

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