Kim Reynolds
2017 - Present
2027
7
Kim Reynolds (Republican Party) is the Governor of Iowa. She assumed office on May 24, 2017. Her current term ends on January 12, 2027.
Reynolds (Republican Party) ran for re-election for Governor of Iowa. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
In 2010, Reynolds won election as lieutenant governor on a joint ticket with former Gov. Terry E. Branstad (R). The pair was re-elected in 2014. In 2017, Reynolds became the 43rd governor of Iowa when Branstad resigned to serve as U.S. ambassador to China, ending his tenure as the longest-serving American governor. Reynolds, Iowa's first female governor, was elected to a full term in 2018.[1][2]
Reynolds was born in 1959 in St. Charles, Iowa, and graduated from Interstate 35 Community Schools in 1977. She attended college intermittently in the years that followed. In 2016, she received a bachelor's degree in liberal studies with concentrations in political science, business management, and communications from Iowa State University.[1][3][4][5]
Before entering public office, Reynolds worked as a pharmacist assistant and as a motor vehicles clerk in the Clarke County treasurer's office. In 1994, she was elected to a four-year term as Clarke County treasurer. She was re-elected three times as county treasurer and served as president of the Iowa State Treasurers Association. In 2008, Reynolds was elected to represent District 48 in the Iowa State Senate.[6][7]
In 2023, Governing's Alan Greenblatt wrote, "Reynolds now is getting just about everything she asks for, including major tax cuts and a complete reorganization of the state government itself. ... Iowa has grown not only more Republican, but more conservative. While Branstad was business-friendly, he was more moderate by today’s standards[.] ... Reynolds has been unabashedly conservative and unafraid to take on culture war issues. ... While the GOP’s expanded legislative majorities are generally aligned with the governor, she’s been the one driving the train."[8]
Biography
Reynolds was born in 1959 in St. Charles, Iowa. Before entering public office, Reynolds worked as a pharmacist assistant and as a motor vehicles clerk. In 2016, she received a bachelor's degree in liberal studies with concentrations in political science, business management, and communications from Iowa State University.[1][9][6][10]
Political career
Governor of Iowa (2017-Present)
Reynolds assumed office on May 24, 2017, following the resignation of Gov. Terry E. Branstad (R). She won election to a full term in 2018.
Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (2011-2017)
Reynolds was first elected on November 2, 2010, running on the Republican ticket with Terry E. Branstad. She was re-elected with Branstad in 2014.
Iowa State Senate (2009-2010)
Reynolds served as a Republican member of the Iowa State Senate from 2009 to 2011.
Clarke County Treasurer (1995-2009)
Reynolds was first elected Clarke County Treasurer in 1994. She was re-elected in 1998, 2002, and 2006.[11]
Elections
2022
See also: Iowa gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of Iowa
Incumbent Kim Reynolds defeated Deidre DeJear and Rick Stewart in the general election for Governor of Iowa on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kim Reynolds (R) | 58.0 | 709,198 | |
| Deidre DeJear (D) | 39.5 | 482,950 | ||
| Rick Stewart (L) | 2.4 | 28,998 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 718 | ||
| Total votes: 1,221,864 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Iowa
Deidre DeJear advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of Iowa on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Deidre DeJear | 99.5 | 145,555 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 801 | ||
| Total votes: 146,356 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ras Smith (D)
- Joshua Kuhn-McRoberts (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Iowa
Incumbent Kim Reynolds advanced from the Republican primary for Governor of Iowa on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kim Reynolds | 99.0 | 185,293 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 1,808 | ||
| Total votes: 187,101 | ||||
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2018
General election
General election for Governor of Iowa
Incumbent Kim Reynolds defeated Fred Hubbell, Jake Porter, and Gary Siegwarth in the general election for Governor of Iowa on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kim Reynolds (R) | 50.3 | 667,275 | |
| Fred Hubbell (D) | 47.5 | 630,986 | ||
| Jake Porter (L) | 1.6 | 21,426 | ||
| Gary Siegwarth (Clear Water Party of Iowa Party) | 0.6 | 7,463 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 488 | ||
| Total votes: 1,327,638 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Iowa
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Governor of Iowa on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Fred Hubbell | 55.5 | 99,245 | |
| Cathy Glasson | 20.6 | 36,815 | ||
| John Norris | 11.5 | 20,498 | ||
| Andy McGuire | 5.3 | 9,404 | ||
| Nate Boulton | 5.1 | 9,082 | ||
| Ross Wilburn | 2.2 | 3,880 | ||
| Total votes: 178,924 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Iowa
Incumbent Kim Reynolds advanced from the Republican primary for Governor of Iowa on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kim Reynolds | 100.0 | 94,118 | |
| Total votes: 94,118 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ron Corbett (R)
- Steven Ray (R)
Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for Governor of Iowa
Jake Porter defeated Marco Battaglia in the Libertarian primary for Governor of Iowa on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jake Porter | 58.4 | 991 | |
| Marco Battaglia | 41.6 | 705 | ||
| Total votes: 1,696 | ||||
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2014
| Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Iowa, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Terry Branstad/Kim Reynolds Incumbent |
59% | 666,023 | |
| Democratic | Jack Hatch/Monica Vernon | 37.3% | 420,778 | |
| Libertarian | Lee Hieb/Tim Watson | 1.8% | 20,319 | |
| New Independent Party | Jim Hennager/Mary Krieg | 0.9% | 10,582 | |
| Iowa Party | Jonathan Narcisse/Michael Richards | 0.9% | 10,239 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.1% | 1,093 | |
| Total Votes | 1,129,034 | |||
| Election results via Iowa Secretary of State | ||||
2010
| 2010 Iowa lieutenant gubernatorial general election | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | Patty Judge | 42.85% | |
| Republican Party | 52.15% | ||
| Socialist | Helen Meyers | 0.24% | |
| Libertarian Party | Nick Weltha | 1.27% | |
| Independent | Richard Marlar | 1.88% | |
| Independent | Robin Prior-Calef | 0.34% | |
| Other | write-ins | 0.25% | |
| Other | spoilt ballots | 1.01% | |
| Total Votes | 1,131,434 | ||
2008
| Iowa State Senate, District 48 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Kim Reynolds (R)
|
14,274 | |||
| Ruth Smith (D) | 11,653 | |||
| Rodney Schmidt (I) | 1,021 | |||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kim Reynolds did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kim Reynolds completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Reynolds' responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Education: Since 2011, $765 million in new money has been invested in K-12 education. Only three other states have invested in education at a faster rate than Iowa. We’ve also earned a global reputation for our STEM initiative. Both efforts are preparing our young people for a knowledge driven economy. Mental Health Reform: This year, the Legislature unanimously passed my mental health care reform bill. I also signed an executive order to create the first of its kind Children's Mental Health Board. Now, we’re able to provide more compassionate and accessible mental health care to Iowans of all ages. Tax Cuts: Every dollar counts. That’s why I signed into law the most comprehensive state tax reform in Iowa history. Iowans are seeing more money in their paychecks for groceries, gas and other necessities. Most importantly, we did this while maintaining our top priorities.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Every day, I’m working to build a better Iowa. It’s the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing on my mind at night. I take this job seriously because Iowans trust me to do what’s right. I also believe there is no better place to live, work, and raise a family than Iowa. It’s a place where a small-town girl can run for county office, State Senate and serve as Lieutenant Governor. It’s a place where a fifth generation Iowan can become the first woman governor. And, it’s a place where core values matter, and promises are kept. My vision for Iowa focuses on growing jobs, strengthening education, improving healthcare and protecting Iowans. We’ve achieved a $127 million surplus in the state budget, Iowa’s unemployment rate is second lowest in the country, and Iowans’ incomes are on the rise. We’re definitely on the right track. With your vote in November, we can continue focusing on jobs, education, healthcare, and public safety. My story is the Iowa story. I love this state, our people, and this job.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Reynolds' campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Kim Reynolds understands the challenges families face because she’s faced them herself. A fifth-generation Iowan, she grew up in a working-class family in St. Charles, Iowa. A recognized leader in state and local issues, Kim served as county treasurer and state senator before becoming Lieutenant Governor and Governor. As Lt. Governor, she served as the chairwoman of the National Lt. Governors Association. In this role, she led nationwide discussions on policy, economic development, and issues affecting states across the country. Kim has made Iowa a national leader in STEM education; and she’s led economic development trade missions to China, Germany, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand, working towards increased exports, more foreign direct investment and new jobs for Iowa. Throughout her entire life, Kim Reynolds has never forgotten her working class roots. As a teenager she worked as a waitress at Younkers, and later as a checker at Hy-Vee all while raising a young family and getting her college degree. That’s why her top priorities as governor are creating good-paying jobs, cutting taxes, investing in public schools, and increasing opportunity in every part of Iowa. Kim and her husband, “First Dude” Kevin, have been married 36 years, have three daughters and nine grandchildren. [12] |
” |
| —Kim Reynolds' campaign website (2018)[13] | ||
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Ballot measure activity
Ballotpedia is not aware of any personal political advocacy by this officeholder related to ballot measures we track. If you are aware of any, please email us.
Noteworthy events
Reported as possible 2024 Republican vice presidential nominee
- See also: Vice presidential candidates, 2024
Media reports discussed Reynolds as a possible 2024 Republican vice presidential candidate.[14] Former President Donald Trump (R) selected U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate on July 15, 2024, the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention.
In 2020, President Joe Biden (D) announced Vice President Kamala Harris (D) as his running mate six days before the start of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). In 2016, both Hillary Clinton (D) and Trump announced their running mates three days before the DNC and RNC, respectively.
Republican response to President Joe Biden's (D) State of the Union Address (2022)
On March 1, 2022, Reynolds delivered the Republican response to President Joe Biden's (D) 2022 State of the Union Address. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced she would deliver the response on February 22.[15] To view her address, click here.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Reynolds and her husband, Kevin, have three children.[16]
See also
2022 Elections
External links
|
Officeholder Governor of Iowa |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 National Governors Association, "Gov. Kim Reynolds," accessed November 20, 2024
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Terry Branstad confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China," May 22, 2017
- ↑ The Iowa Legislature, "Executive Branch Elected Officials," accessed November 20, 2024
- ↑ Kim Reynolds 2022 campaign website, "About Kim Reynolds," accessed November 20, 2024
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds graduates from Iowa State," Dec. 18, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Des Moines Register, "How Kim Reynolds ascended to Iowa's governorship," January 11, 2017
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Kim Reynolds," accessed November 20, 2024
- ↑ Governing, "Queen of Iowa: How One Governor Came to Dominate Her State," June 27, 2023
- ↑ The Iowa Legislature, "Executive Branch Elected Officials," accessed November 20, 2024
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds graduates from Iowa State," Dec. 18, 2016
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedabt - ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Kim Reynolds for Governor, “Meet Kim,” accessed September 18, 2018
- ↑ ABC News, "Noem? Reynolds? A very early look at the Republican 'veepstakes,'" July 1, 2023
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will deliver Republicans' State of the Union response," February 22, 2022
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Kim Reynolds' Biography," accessed May 20, 2021
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Terry E. Branstad (R) |
Governor of Iowa 2017-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Lieutenant Governor of Iowa 2011-2017 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Iowa State Senate 2009-2011 |
Succeeded by - |
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