Hunter
04/11/25
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced on social media Friday morning that she will not be running for a third term.
In the posted video, Reynolds said, “Today, I want to share a personal decision with you. One that was not made lightly, but comes with a full heart and a deep sense of gratitude. After a lot of thought, prayer, and conversations with my family, I have decided that I will not seek re-election in 2026.”
The 65-year old Reynolds has been governor since 2017, when then-governor Terry Branstad was appointed US Ambassador to China. She won the governorship outright in the 2018 election, and was reelected in 2022.
The governor has aligned herself with President Donald Trump, and made national news this year when she enacted legislation that removed gender identity as a protected class as part of the Iowa Civil Rights Act, ending protections for transgender Iowans.
US Senator Chuck Grassley issued a statement on Reynolds’ announcement, saying, “We thank her for her leadership and know her vision to keep Iowa the best place to work, raise a family and retire will continue to make a difference in the current and future legislative sessions.”