Iowa Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg steps down, will lead bankers’ group

Iowa Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg resigned immediately Tuesday, according to a surprise announcement by the governor’s office, and will become leader later this year of the group that lobbies on behalf of state bankers.

In a news release, Gov. Kim Reynolds said Gregg, 41, had resigned to pursue a career opportunity that allows him to focus more on his family.

The Iowa Bankers Association announced Tuesday afternoon that Gregg has been hired as its incoming president and chief executive officer. The association advocates for, provides resources to and lobbies on behalf of Iowa banks.

Gregg will succeed current President and CEO John Sorensen, who will retire at the end of the year after 38 years with the association. Gregg will join it Oct. 1 to allow time for the transition, according to a news release.

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Reynolds, a Republican, named Gregg as acting lieutenant governor to replace her in May 2017 when she succeeded former Gov. Terry Branstad after he was named U.S. ambassador to China by then- President Donald Trump. The two have since been elected to two terms in office, in 2018 and 2022.

“Adam has been a tremendous partner and an important part of my team over the last seven years, and I greatly appreciate his service to Iowans,” Reynolds said in a statement.

Reynolds called Gregg a devoted husband and father. “This most certainly is the right decision for Adam, and I wish him, Cari and their children only the best,” she said.

Gregg, in a statement, said it has been “a great honor” to serve alongside Reynolds.

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“I have enormous respect for her and her leadership, and she will always be one of the most important mentors in my life,” Gregg stated. “ … I feel my time in public service must come to a close. This season of my life needs to be focused on my family. My kids are growing up too fast, and statewide elected offices force me to miss more of their lives than I can accept. While difficult, the decision to resign from this role allows me to honor my most important commitment — my family.”

Under Iowa law, the governor has the power to appoint a new lieutenant governor to fill a vacancy and serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. Reynolds and Gregg were reelected in 2022 to a four-year term that expires in January 2027.

Until Reynolds makes an appointment later this fall, Senate President Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, will be next in line of succession.

Iowa voters this fall will be asked to approve a ballot measure to amend the Iowa Constitution clarifying the state’s line of succession following the governor.

The amendment states that when a governor appoints a lieutenant governor to fill a vacancy, that new lieutenant governor is granted the office’s full authority and would succeed the governor if the need arises.

The proposed clarification was prompted when Reynolds replaced Branstad in 2017. There was a legal question whether the state constitution granted her appointed lieutenant governor, Gregg, the office’s full authority and whether he would become governor if Reynolds left office.

Gregg ran as the Republican nominee for attorney general in 2014 but lost to longtime incumbent Democrat Tom Miller. He was then appointed by Branstad to serve as state public defender. He helped modernized the agency by moving processes online, and supported specialty drug courts, mental health courts and veterans courts throughout the state that focus on treatment and recovery rather than punishment and imprisonment.

He previously served in Branstad’s office as legislative liaison and policy adviser.

A lawyer, Gregg received a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Central College and graduated with high honors from Drake University Law School.

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, thanked Gregg for his “years of service to the people of Iowa” in post on social media site X, formerly Twitter. “He was always capable of seeing past disagreements to focus on places to work together,” Sand posted.

Iowa Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird, in a post on X, called Gregg “the epitome of what it means to be a leader.”

“I have nothing but admiration for the incredible work Adam has done to move our state forward & his decision to focus on his family at this time,” Bird posted. “I am grateful to have served Iowans alongside my friend Adam, and I have no doubt that he will continue to impact the lives of many in his future endeavors.”

Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum, of Dubuque, in a statement commended Gregg for “choosing to focus his time and efforts on his family” and thanked him for “his dedicated service to the people of Iowa these past seven years.”

The role of lieutenant governor is not statutorily defined in the Iowa Code. Under the Iowa Constitution, the lieutenant governor performs duties assigned by the governor.

As lieutenant governor, Gregg led the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative, the Feeding Iowans Task Force in 2020 and the Governor's FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform. The working group focused on recommendations to reduce recidivism through successful offender re-entry.

Last year, Gregg was elected chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

University of Iowa political science professor Tim Hagle noted Gregg likely will receive a substantial pay increase in his new role with the banking association.

Gregg received a base salary of roughly $103,000 set by state law, and received an annual gross pay of about $107,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, according to the state's salary database.

Sorensen, the outgoing head of the state’s bankers association, received a total compensation package valued at more than $620,000 in 2022, according to the association’s most recent public tax filing.

“Doing more for your family to have more substantial income will help a lot as his kids get older,” Hagle said.

Hagle said Gregg was fairly well-known and well-liked across the state. The timing of his departure will give Reynolds time to think about who she might pick as a successor.

“And that’s going to be important,” Hagle said. “Because assuming she runs for re-election, that person will be her running mate. She’s going to want to pick someone she’s comfortable with and the Republican base is comfortable with.”

Reynolds, he said, could be looking for more of a partner to help carry out the policies and administration of the state, and who is willing to travel to every corner of Iowa.

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“It’s important you have someone who can do that and articulate the governor’s positions, especially if it becomes controversial,” Hagle said. “She’s going to want someone she can trust to carry the mission forward and someone who can do it in an articulate way — who cannot only talk on the stump, but can talk to voters and party activists and lawmakers.”

Gregg, Hagle said, seemed to do well in those regards.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments: (319) 398-8499; tom.barton@thegazette.com