Branstad hailed as a ‘living legend’ at farewell event

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad, already the longest-serving governor in U.S. history, thanked hundreds of supporters who cheered him during a farewell event Tuesday before he embarks on what he acknowledged is going to be the 'biggest challenge I've ever taken on” as U.S. ambassador to China.

'This has been a wonderful experience,” Branstad told about 400 longtime GOP friends and associates who gathered to thank him and wish him well in his new international role. 'It's been a dream for me to serve as governor of Iowa.”

Branstad, a history buff who is in his 23 year as Iowa's chief executive, noted that every day he shows up for work breaks the record as the American governor who has spent the longest time in office. 'I kind of love that,” he said with a smile.

Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann, who emceed the proceedings, called Branstad 'a living legend” and a 'once-in-a-lifetime leader.”

During the two-hour event, Branstad paid tribute to his wife, Chris, who drew a standing ovation, and he told the Iowans assembled he is sure Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has served as the state's No. 2 executive since 2011, is ready to assume the office he is soon to vacate.

'Every assignment I've ever given her she's exceeded expectations,” Branstad said of his lieutenant, who is a former state senator and county treasurer.

'I have no doubt she'll be a great governor and she will accomplish a lot,” added Branstad, who is headed to Washington, D.C., to meet this week with members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee before a hearing next Tuesday on his confirmation as President Donald Trump's pick to be America's next ambassador to China.

Branstad, who previously participated in similar farewell events in Davenport and Sioux City, reminisced about his time growing up on a Northern Iowa farm, talked about the people who influenced him during his life and relived the farm crisis years of the 1980s as his most difficult time as governor.

'I'm proud of the fact that we faced a very tough farm crisis but we came out of it stronger and more diversified and we're better for it today,” he said.

Kaufmann said Branstad never forgot where he came from during his time in office and praised him for his honesty, integrity and love for Iowa.

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