With Donald Trump’s choice of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as his ambassador to Beijing, his lieutenant governor, Kim Reynolds, will become Iowa’s new governor.
Much like in Ohio, Republicans in Iowa appear suddenly dominant after big consecutive wins in the 2014 and 2016 elections. Reynolds’ succession of Branstad, who will have served 22 years as governor, puts her in a better position to get the 2018 nomination. Here’s a short profile of her by the Des Moines Register from the time of her second inauguration as LG in 2015.
It will also make her the third woman Republican governor at present, along with Susana Martinez (N.M.), and Mary Fallin (Okla.). Democrats will have only two female governors — Kate Brown (Ore.) and Gina Raimondo (R.I.). Nikki Haley, of course, will be stepping down to become U.N. Ambassador.
