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Kim Reynolds yesterday became Iowa’s first female governor. This morning, Reynolds made her first public decision about filling the Lt. Governor’s office. She served as former Republican Governor Terry Branstad’s Lt. Governor for seven years. The governor will designate an "acting" Lt. Gov. with full scope and title to operate the office but, will not be in line of succession. Public Defender Adam Gregg, of Johnston, is her choice. He was at the Statehouse Wednesday when Reynolds was sworn in as governor. Gregg will collect the lieutenant governor's salary of $103,000 but not be in the line of succession. Democratic Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller recently released an opinion that Reynolds will have the title and powers of the governor, but not the authority to choose a new lieutenant governor. He cited wording in the Iowa Constitution and historical precedent.
Reynolds is stepping into the governor’s chair because Branstad was sworn in today as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of China.
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“Becoming Iowa’s first woman governor is both humbling and exciting. I will do my best to serve as a role model for others to follow. And hope to emulate the finest qualities of those who led before me.?
Amassador Branstad thanked everyone for their support after signing his letter of resignation. He praised Reynolds and gave her his full support. Branstad also said Iowans voted for him so he could straighten out state government and he did his best to make that happen.
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“Governor Reynolds and our entire team have worked tirelessly to bring more and better jobs to Iowa, improve our schools and give Iowa a smaller, and more effective government. We brought the unemployment rate down from over six percent to three-point-one percent today. And Iowa has the highest high school graduation rate in the entire country.”
Governor Reynolds held her first news conference this morning, where she announced the choice of Gregg for acting Lt. Govnernor.
