DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Kim Reynolds acknowledges growing more comfortable with her ascent to Iowa’s job after her mentor’s appointment as U.S. ambassador to China.
Reynolds officially took over Wednesday from Terry Branstad, the nation’s longest-serving governor.
She had been a county official, state senator and lieutenant governor but says that until recently, she’d been reluctant to pursue the governorship. And now in the role of his chosen successor, the groundwork is in place to run for the office herself next year.
Reynolds not only shed her reluctance but acknowledges being somewhat envious watching Branstad sign landmark legislation in the just-ended session. It was the first since 1998 that Republicans controlled the House, Senate and governor’s office.