Branstad plans celebration of his service milestone Dec. 14

CEDAR RAPIDS - Gov. Terry Branstad is planning a gala celebration Dec. 14 - the day he becomes the longest-serving governor in American history - with fellow governors, presidential candidates and the release of his biography.

Branstad, 68, who is in his sixth term as governor, will claim the 'longest-serving” title from New York Gov. George Clinton, who served 7,641 days in office. Clinton's tenure included time both before and after the United States won independence from Britain.

At a town-hall meeting at the Marion Public Library Thursday, the governor told a handful of people of his plans to celebrate the milestone. Branstad said he's inviting fellow governors as well as presidential candidates to join him.

Many details are still being worked out, Branstad's spokesman Ben Hammes said, noting that the celebration is not being handled by the governor's official staff.

'I know he's very excited about it - as we all are,” Hammes said.

He expects the guest list will include former and sitting governors Branstad has served with.

Guest could include presidential candidates, he said. Branstad doesn't want it to be a partisan event, Hammes added, 'So if one side is invited I expect the other will be, too.”

The public will be able to purchase tickets to the celebration at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Proceeds will go to a purpose to be announced nearer Dec. 14, Hammes said. It will not be a fundraiser for the governor.

Plans for the event include the release of Branstad's biography, titled 'Iowa's Record Setting Governor: The Terry Branstad Story.” It's not a deep dive into politics and issues, he said, but focuses more on his personal story - 'the influences growing up on the farm, the work ethic I gained from that, the great teachers that influenced me to want to go into a public service career,” he said.

The biography is written by former Gazette reporter Mike Chapman, illustrated by Iowa artist Brian Duffy, who is known for his political cartoons, and published by Des Moines-based Business Publications.

All proceeds from the book will go into a new fund that will benefit historical preservation projects throughout the state, Branstad said.

Senior photojournalist Liz Martin contributed to this story.