Next governor's race may include several women

DES MOINES — Iowa may have a prime opportunity to elect its first woman governor in 2018.

Iowa is one of 23 states that has never elected a woman governor. But if Terry Branstad does not seek re-election in 2018 — as most expect — the list of potential successors will include several women, including Branstad's lieutenant governor.

Branstad has been grooming Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds as his replacement, and although it's unlikely her candidacy would clear the Republican field, her eight years as lieutenant governor would make her a top candidate.

Across the aisle, Cedar Rapids council member Monica Vernon gained exposure in 2014 when she ran as Democrat Jack Hatch's running mate in the gubernatorial race. And at least three female state senators are potential candidates.

Pam Jochum, the Iowa Senate president, has been open to a possible gubernatorial run. And political insiders say Sens. Liz Mathis of Cedar Rapids and Janet Petersen of Des Moines could run.

'I expect that we will see several women on that ticket, both for governor and lieutenant governor,' said Mary Ellen Miller, executive director of 50-50 in 2020, an advocacy group that works to get women elected to public office in Iowa.

One of 50-50 in 2020's goals is to see a woman elected governor. Miller said the deep bench of potential female candidates in 2018 makes that goal all the more attainable.

'One of the members of our advisory council told me, 'You know, Mary Ellen, the best way to get a woman elected is to get two women running against each other,'' Miller said with a laugh. 'I think there's a possibility that could happen, absolutely.'