Year in review: Kim Reynolds wants to be known as more than Iowa’s first female governor

*This storyline was voted as one of the top storylines of 2017 by Gazette staff. Other top storylines include the debate over the defunding of Planned Parenthood, Iowa's opioid abuse issue, and Branstad's new role as ambassador to China.*

Kim Reynolds says she doesn't want history to remember her as Iowa's first female governor.

But she wrote herself into the history books when she succeeded the nation's longest-serving governor, Terry Branstad, when she was inaugurated the state's 43rd governor on May 24.

After serving as Branstad's lieutenant for six years, Reynolds, 58, stepped in when he resigned to become the U.S. ambassador to China.

Now Reynolds, a former county treasurer and state senator, is facing her first legislative session. Although he won't lay out her legislative agenda until the Condition of the State speech Jan. 9, Reynolds has said her priorities are: making the state's tax code simpler, more fair and more competitive; further developing the state's energy plan to continue to maximize renewable energy sources such as wind energy and biofuels; educating children to meet the demands of 21st-century employment; and training Iowans so they have the skills needed for successful careers.

Those goals dovetail with much of the work she did as lieutenant governor. For example, she led trade missions and worked on economic development as well as took the lead on the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiative that covers education, economic development and workforce development priorities.

Her vision for Iowa hasn't stopped others from challenging her campaign for a full term as the state's chief executive. In addition to two GOP challengers, seven Democrats are vying for their party's gubernatorial nomination.

Much of the criticism of Reynolds stems from policies instituted by Branstad, such as closing mental health facilities and contacting with private companies to manage Medicaid.

Polls have shown that although Reynolds gets relatively good favorability ratings, Iowans have indicated they want a change. Working in her favor is that, so far, none of her potential challengers has strong support.