4925 gov of iowa kim reynolds
Photo: The New York Times

Who is Kim Reynolds?

Kim Reynolds (Republican Party) is the Governor of Iowa. She assumed office on May 24, 2017. Her current term ends on January 10, 2023.

Reynolds (Republican Party) ran for re-election for Governor of Iowa. She won in the general election on November 6, 2018.

She ran a joint campaign with the lieutenant gubernatorial nominee, Adam Gregg.

Reynolds succeeded to the office on May 24, 2017, after Terry E. Branstad resigned to serve as U.S. ambassador to China. In the 2018 election, she defeated businessman Fred Hubbell by a margin of 3 percentage points to win election to a full term.

5255 gov of iowa kim reynolds
Kim Reynolds and Fred Hubbell in the 2018 election. Photo: The Quad City Times

Reynolds previously served two terms as lieutenant governor, winning election in 2010 and re-election in 2014. Before winning election as lieutenant governor, she served a single term in the state senate representing District 48.

Biography

Reynolds was born in Truro, Iowa, and raised in St. Charles. She attended Northwest Missouri State University, where she took classes in business, consumer sciences, and clothing sales and design between 1977 and 1980. Reynolds later took classes at Southeastern Community College in the late 1980s, and then took accounting classes at Southwestern Community College between 1992 and 1995, as cited by Ballotpedia.

At age 57, Kim earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. Then, nearly two years later, on Nov. 4, 2018, she was elected by Iowans to become their first woman Governor.

Reynolds' professional experience includes working as a pharmacist assistant, on the staff for the Clarke County Treasurer's Office and Department of Motor Vehicles, and as a member of the board of the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System from 1996 to 2001.

Personal information

Kim Reynolds' Family

Family means everything to Kim and her husband, Kevin. They have three daughters (Jennifer, Nicole and Jessica) who are happily married, and Kim and Kevin love spending time with their 10 very active grandchildren.

5534 gov of iowa kim reynolds
Photo: Iowa.gov

Reynolds was twice charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, first in 1999 and again in 2000. The 2000 case was originally charged as a Second Offense OWI, but eventually reduced to First Offense OWI. Reynolds was sentenced to pay a $1,500 fine and serve 12 months of informal probation. A related open container charge was dropped entirely.

In 2017, Reynolds stated that she sought inpatient treatment for alcoholism following her second arrest and that she had been sober for nearly 17 years.

Political career

2009-2011: Iowa State Senate, District 48

2011-2017: Lieutenant Governor of Iowa

2017 - Present: Governor of Iowa

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, reynoldsgregg.com cites.

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.

Full list of the Current Governors of the U.S, please check out our KnowInsider!

Who is Bill Lee - the Current Governor of Tennessee Who is Bill Lee - the Current Governor of Tennessee

William Byron Lee is an American businessman and politician serving as the 50th governor of Tennessee. Elected in 2018, Bill Lee campaigned as a business-oriented ...
Who is Jay Inslee - the Current Governor of Washington Who is Jay Inslee - the Current Governor of Washington

Have you heard about Jay Inslee, the 23rd governor of Washington State? Here is a look at the life of Jay Inslee, the Current Governor ...
Who is Greg Abbott - the Current Governor of Texas Who is Greg Abbott - the Current Governor of Texas

Abbott, who has held high-profile roles in the Texas government for more than 20 years, has become one of the most influential politicians – particularly ...