Reynolds Takes Office As Iowa’s 43rd Governor

Kim Reynolds was sworn in as Iowa’s 43rd Governor on Friday morning.

Reynolds is the first female elected to that position in the state’s history.

Des Moines Iowa – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds was sworn into office Friday morning inside the facility many Iowan’s have known as Veterans Memorial Auditorium, but today is known as Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad resigned as Iowa’s governor on May 24, 2017, and became Ambassador Branstad to China for the Trump Administration.

That left Reynolds at the helm of a state searching for answers on, most notably, mental health and Medicaid reform.

Reynolds overcame a tough Democratic challenge in Fred Hubbell, who hit hard on the Branstad/Reynolds record, to win in November by a 50-47 margin.

All of that was in the rearview mirror as the band started to play, and the line of dignitaries made their way to their seats.

Many Iowa leaders were in attendance, including newly elected U.S. Reps Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer, who are the first women to serve Iowa in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sen. Joni Ernst, Iowa’s first female senator, and Iowa House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, who is also the first female to be chosen for that position, were also present for the historic event.

Officially now, Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg was sworn in first.

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady administered the oath of office to Gregg.

Gregg shared an emotional journey about how he will help lead Iowa into the next four years. “It’s truly the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Iowa,” said Gregg. “I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.”

“Public service is a sacrifice, but oftentimes the sacrifice is theirs,” said Gregg in reference to his family and children and what they do to allow him to hold public office. “My goal is to never lose sight of the fact that my most important job is being your dad.”

Gregg thanked Reynolds for placing her confidence in him to serve alongside her as lieutenant governor.

“I think one of the reasons Iowan’s chose you as their governor is because they can see so much of themselves in you. You are undoubtedly one of us,” said Gregg.

Gregg went on to say he admired Reynolds “uncommon strength to overcome challenges. Your uncommon grit to persevere. Your uncommon record of public service, and perhaps most uncommon of all, your history-making rise to become Iowa’s first female governor.”

“Governor, you’re the one who shattered that glass ceiling under the ‘Golden Dome.’ You’re the one that made it possible for little girls to know that even they someday might achieve the highest level of leadership in our state. You’re the one who made history. That’s a distinction no one else can or will ever hold. You will be eternally uncommon for that accomplishment.”

Iowa Justice Susan Christensen administered the oath of office to Reynolds. Christensen was appointed to the Iowa Supreme Court by Reynolds last fall.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to stand before you today as the first woman elected governor of our great state,” said Reynolds in her opening remarks. “I’m grateful for the faith you’ve placed in me.”

Reynolds looked back in time 24 years ago, during a conversation at her kitchen table “when Kevin challenged me to put my ideas into action and to run for country treasurer.”

Reynolds said what makes Iowa special is “the character of our people. Whether they are an Iowan by birth, or by choice, no matter where they came from.”

Referencing her 99 county tour every year, Reynolds said that travel gives her a unique opportunity to see Iowa “as a whole. And when I do, when I step back, squint my eyes and focus, here’s what I see. One big small town.”

“In small-town Iowa, residents don’t wait for government or far-flung strangers to take care of their ailing neighbors. They do it themselves. When a farmer gets sick, the community drops everything to harvest his crops. When a neighbor loses her job and is struggling to get back on her feet, the town sees her through it,” said Reynolds.

“In a small town, everyone works together and does life together; and because of that, everyone takes care of each other,” said Reynolds. “That’s Iowa.”

Reynolds took aim at social media and screen time. “The internet has given a voice to millions of Americans. You no longer need a printing press to publish your ideas. A phone in your pocket will do.”

“And that’s powerful. But it’s also making us powerless. Too many have become dependent on their phones, captive to social media and to the bitterness and pain that exists there.”

“I see it less here than in other parts of our country, but I see it. And if we aren’t vigilant, we will lose our character. We’ll lose our small town way of life,” added Reynolds.

“My ask of all Iowan’s as we go into the next four years is that we devote less time to online political arguments, and more time to each other,” Reynolds said. “That we don’t let a screen steal from our family and friends, from our communities and our schools. Here’s the thing, if we look up, and to each other, we’ll see that there are great things happening in this state, and if we put our energy into action versus outrage, we’ll find that there are even greater days to come.”

“We are just getting started,” said Reynolds after she highlighted many of the things in Iowa she sees as positives.

“As I travel the state, I am seeing a resurgence in many places. Our young people are coming home. New shops are opening, and the schools are brimming with as much pride as they ever have,” added Reynolds. ‘In the months and years ahead, it’s my hope that we can ignite that kind of passion in even more communities.

“When it comes to the qualities that define our great state, let’s not let the world change us, let’s change the world,” said Reynolds.

“Let’s worship God, and take care of our neighbors. Let’s strive to teach our children the same values, and let’s give them a life better than our own,” added Reynolds in closing. “If we do that, we will have lived a life that we can be proud of. A life that is worthy of the freedoms we’ve been given. A life that truly is Iowan.”