‘No better job,’ Branstad says at resignation

DES MOINES — History was on parade at the Iowa Statehouse Wednesday as Iowans bid an emotional farewell to Gov. Terry Branstad as he ended his 8,169-day run as the longest-serving governor in U.S. history and welcomed Kim Reynolds as the first woman to hold Iowa's top executive position.

In back-to-back ceremonies that took less than an hour, Iowa accomplished a transition of power, with Branstad, 70, saying he was proud of what he was able to accomplish and Reynolds pledging to fill Branstad's shoes by stepping into 'her heels' and working to build on their administration's progress.

Friends, family, legislators, state officials and other close associates crowded into the governor's formal Capitol office to witness him tendering his resignation as governor and being sworn in as the new U.S. ambassador to China by Iowa Judge Steve Colloton of the U.S. Court of Appeals.

'Never in my wildest dreams did I believe a farm kid from Leland, Iowa would become the longest serving governor in American history,' Branstad said in his last speech as governor — having been confirmed this week as President Donald Trump's choice to represent American interests in China.

'There is no better job in the world than being the governor of the state that you love,' said Branstad, who served as Iowa's 39th governor from 1983 to 1999 and as the 42nd governor from January 2011 until Wednesday. 'But sometimes we are called to serve in ways we had never imagined.'

Reynolds, Branstad's family members — including five of his grandchildren who sat in the front row — and more than 80 other close associates on hand stood and applauded after Branstad made the switch from governor to ambassador. 'It has been a great honor to serve,' he said.

Minutes after Branstad assumed his new role, Reynolds, 57, was administered the oath of office in the Iowa State Capitol rotunda and sworn in by Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady as Iowa's 43rd governor and entered Iowa history books as the first woman to hold the state's top elective office.

'While today marks the closing of an important era for Iowa,' Reynolds said in her first gubernatorial address to an overflow crowd of about 400 who were on hand for the historic event.

'It also is the beginning of an incredible opportunity for both of you,' she told Branstad and his wife, Chris, who will be heading for a U.S. State Department orientation before traveling to China later this summer.

'I've watched you time and time again do the right thing regardless of politics or unbelievable pressure,' Reynolds told Branstad, addressing him as Mr. Ambassador. 'If I can achieve but a fraction of the success you've achieved over the past 22 years, I will consider it the greatest accomplishment of my professional life. We worked hard, had fun and we made a difference. While I have some pretty tough shoes to fill, I'm excited to step into my heels on behalf of the people of Iowa and work every single day.'

Reynolds will serve out the remaining 19-plus months of the sixth term Branstad won in 2014 — his 20th election victory without a defeat. She becomes only the fifth individual to hold the office in the past 48 years.

The Statehouse ceremony, that included a large number of spectators watching from the second floor in the open rotunda, included congratulatory videotaped messages from Iowa Republican U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley and encouraging words from GOP legislative leaders who now will work with Reynolds to achieve their 2018 agenda.

'While Iowans are losing a tenacious champion for our state, we're getting someone that's equal in Terry Branstad's passion and enthusiasm with Kim Reynolds,' said House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake. Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, praised Branstad for his 'can-do attitude' and his 'steady hand' in marking Wednesday as 'a great day of celebration.'

Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, hailed Wednesday as another milestone for his party in breaking 'glass ceilings' with Reynolds, Ernst and Upmeyer all representing trailblazing milestones for women in Iowa's electoral process.

Maggie Tinsman, a former state senator who co-founded 50-50 in 2020 — Iowa's only nonpartisan group working for election of women to the state's legislative and statewide elected offices — said Wednesday was a day of celebration.

'This is an historical day in the lives of Iowans,' Tinsman said, 'one that has been dreamed of for nearly a century, ever since women got the right to vote. Our daughters will see the face of a woman in the governor's office and realize that one day they, too, could be there.'

Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa, issued a statement paraphrasing a song lyric by the British band 'The Who,' telling Iowans to 'meet the new governor, same as the old governor' with Reynolds offering what he called 'failed priorities, empty words and broken promises. But this time, maybe we won't be fooled again.'

At a news conference earlier this week, Reynolds indicated she expected to announce Thursday whether or not she would name a new lieutenant governor to serve as her administration's No. 2 officials and to comment on the makeup of various positions within state government going forward in her new administration.

One change already came Wednesday when Ben Hammes announced his departure effective June 1 as the communications director for Branstad and Reynolds. He said he is taking a private-sector job and Brenna Smith would take over as Reynolds' press secretary.

A short time after Hammes' departure became public, Reynolds announced five additions to her staff: Jake Ketzner as chief of staff, Tim Albrecht as deputy chief of staff and senior adviser, Ryan Koopmans as chief policy adviser and senior legal counsel, Catherine Huggins as chief adviser and Smith as press secretary.

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