Iowa GOP plans June 2 Reynolds inaugural celebration

CEDAR RAPIDS - An inaugural celebration for Iowa's first female governor, Kim Reynolds, will be hosted by the Republican Party of Iowa June 2.

Reynolds will become the state's 43rd governor after Gov. Terry Branstad resigns Wednesday to begin new duties as the United States ambassador to the People's Republic of China. He was confirmed 82-13 by the U.S. Senate Monday afternoon.

Shortly after his resignation, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will be sworn in as governor in a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines.

In addition to celebrating her ascension to the governor's office after 6.5 years as lieutenant governor, the inaugural celebration fundraiser will signal the state GOP's support for Reynolds, Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said Monday.

'The support of the party will transfer seamlessly from Gov. Branstad to Gov. Reynolds,” he said.

The party wants to make clear that if there is a primary race for the GOP nomination in 2018 it will be neutral.

'But we're absolutely not neutral in support of our sitting governor,” Kaufmann said. 'I think making that point clear and unambiguous was one of the most important things I could do.”

Doors will open for the inaugural celebration at 6:30 p.m. at Embassy Suites, 101 E. Locust St., Des Moines.

All of Iowa's statewide and federal officials have been invited. The party is unsure whether Branstad's schedule will permit him to attend.

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