Gov. Kim Reynolds hints at possible re-election plans

DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds may have hinted Tuesday at her plans for a re-election campaign.

Reynolds, 65, has been governor since 2017, when Gov. Terry Branstad stepped down after being named U.S. ambassador to China by President Donald Trump. She was elected to her first full term in 2018, and reelected in 2022.

Reynolds’ term will expire in 2026. She has not announced whether she will seek another term in office.

During a news conference Tuesday, Reynolds was asked by a reporter whether she will run for re-election.

“Stay tuned. There might be some news coming, just not today. So stay tuned,” Reynolds said.

The re-election question followed a series of questions about the announcement Monday that former one-term Republican state lawmaker Brad Sherman, a pastor from Williamsburg, plans to run for governor.

Sherman was an early endorser of President Donald Trump’s campaign ahead of the 2024 Iowa GOP caucuses. A news release announcing Sherman’s gubernatorial plans said he will “focus on a platform of defending Iowans’ rights against eminent domain abuse, encouraging fiscal responsibility, promoting family values, and returning government to the foundational principles that made America great.”

Reynolds, who endorsed Trump’s opponent, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of the 2024 Iowa caucuses, was asked Tuesday whether she believes Trump would endorse Sherman over her.

Reynolds said she has a “good” relationship with Trump, and pointed to his comments about policy in Iowa.

“He often — if you listen to his remarks — he almost always points out Iowa when he talks about education changes that we’re making in our state and that we’re leading when it comes to education reform ... He often touts Iowa as an example,” Reynolds said.

“I’m going to run on my record. I would love it,” she said of a Trump endorsement, “but I’m running on my record. I’m going to run on what we’ve done for Iowans since I’ve been elected. And I’m proud of that record. We’ve gotten a lot done in a short timeline.”

Tom Barton of The Gazette contributed to this report.