I want to make Iowa the envy of the nation

Iowans know that Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and I have made economic growth and job creation the focus of our administration.

Since 2011, 150,900 jobs have been created in Iowa, unemployment has been reduced by nearly 30 percent, $9 billion in private capital has been invested in the state, incomes have grown more than 15 percent, and nearly 80 percent of economic development projects have gone to existing Iowa companies.

We believe that there is more work to be done, including broadband access to every acre in the state and better coordination with workforce development efforts to strengthen the skills of workers and meet industry demands.

I also signed the largest property tax decrease in state history. The local impact will be significant and the statewide impact for the next decade will result in $4.4 billion in savings.

Education has been a critical priority for the lieutenant governor and I, and I signed the most extensive Teacher Leadership Program in the country to restore Iowa's leadership position in student achievement.

Science, technology, engineering and math education has been a key initiative for my administration, with more than 100,000 students involved over the past three years. The pipeline of skilled Iowans must be growing and strong for the state to remain competitive.

Reducing the cost of higher education has been and will continue to be critical. For the first time in 35 years, resident students at Regents universities saw two years of a tuition freeze.

We have proposed further plans to reduce the cost of obtaining a degree at those institutions, as well as a Student Debt Reduction Organization Tax Credit to bring down student debt for all Iowa students and graduates from public, private or community colleges.

I'm running for re-election because I love Iowa. I love the people of Iowa. I'm a lifelong Iowan except for the two years that I served in the Army. And I want to make Iowa the envy of the nation.

The surveys are clear: Iowans know that our state is going in the right direction. We have accomplished so much over the past three and a half years, but we are only getting started.

Lt. Gov. Reynolds and I would appreciate your vote this year so that we can continue to build a brighter future for Iowa.

' Terry Branstad and Kim Reynolds are Republican candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Comments: branstadreynolds.com