Both parties see political opportunities in Reynolds

It's not just Iowa Republicans excited about the transfer of power happening Wednesday at the state Capitol.

They see Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds' transition to the governor's office bringing a fresh face and new voice to the conservative leadership Republicans believe the state has enjoyed since Gov. Terry Branstad returned to office for s second stint in 2011. Branstad is stepping down to become ambassador to China.

'I think there is a potential for having our cake and eating it, too,” Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said, looking ahead to the 2018 governor's race. 'Having the consistency of leadership that Gov. Terry Branstad has provided, but at the same time she is clearly a fresh face. And let's face it, Republicans are breaking the glass ceiling. Again.”

That was a reference to the 2014 election of GOP Sen. Joni Ernst, the state's first female federal officeholder.

Iowa Democrats see opportunity, too, and are wasting no time in attempting to define Reynolds - as the opposite of a fresh face; someone who has stood side-by-side with Branstad to promote and defend policies that aren't working for Iowans, they say.

Shortly after Branstad was confirmed Monday as ambassador by the U.S. Senate, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Derek Eadon issued a statement accusing the lieutenant governor of having a 'purely partisan agenda” that jeopardized Iowa's future.

'Kim Reynolds' record as lieutenant governor raises serious warning signs for Iowans,” Eadon said. 'As she becomes governor, Iowa voters will hold her accountable for her record.”

The best predictor of what Reynolds will do as governor is her record of championing the same policies as Branstad 'that are out of touch with working Iowans,” Iowa Democratic Party Vice Chairwoman Andrea Phillips said Tuesday in Cedar Rapids.

'The things she's chosen to speak out on - defunding Planned Parenthood, underfunding education - are increasingly partisan,” Phillips said during visits with reporters as part of the state party's effort to characterize Reynolds as she takes over.

And Tuesday, Progress Iowa, a liberal advocacy group, launched its own attack on the governor-in-waiting's 'failed priorities.”

'The Reynolds record has resulted in one disaster after another for Iowans,” said Matt Sinovic, Progress Iowa executive director. 'Reynolds has made clear her failed priorities: fiscal irresponsibility that created a budget mess, undercutting our public schools and relentlessly attacking Iowa's working families.”

The Iowa GOP isn't idly standing by.

Chairman Kaufmann promised the party's support will 'transfer seamlessly” from Branstad to Reynolds. The party is planning an inaugural celebration fundraiser June 2 in Des Moines.

Although he promises the state Republican Party will be neutral if there is a GOP primary for the gubernatorial nomination in 2018 - Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett, a former Speaker of the House, is considering it - Kaufmann speaks optimistically of Reynolds being elected to a full term. He believes her experience in local and state government - she served four terms as Clarke County treasurer before being elected to the Iowa Senate in 2008 - will help her in 2018.

'We will have an incumbent who has learned from the best,” he said. 'At the same time, Kim Reynolds will have her own team, her own set of goals.”

Phillips likes the activity and enthusiasm she's seeing at the grass roots.

The 2016 election 'was a wake-up call for Iowa Democrats,” she said.

'The enthusiasm is different from the enthusiasm you see when you're out knocking doors” during a campaign, Phillips said. 'This is people showing up, new people never involved before, and asking, 'How can I get involved?'

'I think we're well-positioned for 2018,” she said.

l Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com