Campaign Almanac: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds raises $1.4 million in 2023

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds raised $1.4 million in 2023, the first year after her most recent re-election, her campaign announced Monday.

Reynolds’ campaign finished 2023 with nearly $1.7 million, her campaign said.

“In 2023, we kicked off a national school choice revolution, cut the size of government, and delivered historic property tax reform,” Reynolds said in a campaign news release. “2024 will be no different — defending the sovereignty of our country, cutting taxes, putting Iowans above government bureaucracy, and ensuring every student has a premier education. Iowa has cemented itself as a national leader and we are just getting started.”

Reynolds’ 2023 haul includes contributions from each of the state’s 99 counties, her campaign said.

Reynolds has served as Iowa’s governor — the first female governor in the state’s history — since 2017, when she was promoted from lieutenant governor when former Gov. Terry Branstad became U.S. ambassador to China.

Reynolds won her first election in 2018 by just under 3 percentage points, and then in 2022 won re-election by 19 percentage points.

Democrat announces for Eastern Iowa seat

Ed Chabal, a longtime public school professional and community advocate, announced his campaign as a Democratic candidate for Iowa Senate District 46, according to a news release.

District 46 includes Washington and Iowa counties and rural portions of Johnson County.

The district currently is represented by Republican Sen. Dawn Driscoll, of Williamsburg.

“I am running for the Iowa Senate to give every Iowan the opportunity to send their children to the best public schools possible while ensuring that all of our residents have better quality lives,” Chabal said in a news release. “This means affordable, quality child care, access to first-rate health care in rural Iowa, which includes freedom for women’s reproductive health care, clean water, and enhanced recreation opportunities for all generations to enjoy.”