Branstad says he won’t rule out serving in Trump administration

ALTOONA - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he has not yet been offered a position in President-elect Donald Trump's administration. But the governor also says that soon may change and that he will not rule out accepting a potential offer.

Speculation by political observers and media has suggested Branstad, who has two years remaining on his sixth term as governor, may be asked by Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador to China.

Speaking to reporters before his annual birthday party and fundraiser Saturday evening at Adventureland Park in Altoona, Branstad said he has not yet been asked to serve in Trump's administration.

But he also said he may talk to the Trump team soon. and would not rule out accepting a potential offer.

'I'm not ruling anything out, but you know my focus has always been on Iowa,” Branstad said.

'This is something a lot of people are speculating about, but it's not something that has been discussed with the people that have the responsibility.

'But my focus is always on Iowa. I love this job. I want to do anything I can to serve the people of Iowa. And I think we've got a great opportunity now with the election results.”

Branstad, who turned 70 on Thursday, recently returned from a trade trip to China and other Asian countries. The trip was planned before the election.

'I will be going to New York on an economic development trip we've had planned for some time. I may get an opportunity to meet at that time with the transition team,” Branstad said.

Branstad was a fervent Trump supporter throughout the presidential campaign, even when other Republicans backed off as Trump made controversial statements and news reports revealed unflattering comments from his past. And Branstad's son Eric was the Trump campaign's state director in Iowa.

Trump praised Gov. Branstad during his final campaign appearance in Iowa the Sunday before the election in Sioux City.

'Terry came to my office and he was talking to me about trade, and I think there's nobody who knows more about trade than him,” Trump told the crowd in Sioux City.

'(Branstad) would be a prime candidate to take care of China. He has done so well for the people of Iowa. Nobody knows it better.”

Matt Strawn, a former state Republican Party chairman, said Branstad would make a strong representative for the country in any role, should the Trump administration call.

'He's one of the most decorated public servants in America,” Strawn said of Branstad, who is the longest-serving governor in the country's history. 'So I think the Trump administration would be fortunate to have him in any capacity.”

Should Branstad remain in the governor's office for the remainder of his term, he would for the first time in his second stint as governor enjoy complete Republican control of the state's agenda after Republicans in the election gained control of the Iowa Senate.

'I'm a pretty happy guy (because of the election results). It's a great birthday,” Branstad said Saturday night. 'I'm really focused on what we want to accomplish with a Republican-controlled Legislature.”