Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds won't run for reelection
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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks at a rally hosted by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in November 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced Friday that she won't seek reelection.
Why it matters: Reynolds, Iowa's first woman governor, pushed conservative policies on education, health care and taxes since assuming the office in 2017.
- Reynolds previously served as lieutenant governor and a state senator.
- "This public service has been an incredible journey," she said in an announcement video. "One that I wouldn't trade for anything."
What's next: Reynolds said she will turn her attention to her family in retirement, but she plans to finish her term that concludes in January 2027.
- Reynolds' husband, first gentleman Kevin Reynolds, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023, but he has responded well to treatment, she said in 2024. They have three daughters and 11 grandchildren.
- "I'm more energized than ever to finish what we started and to leave Iowa in the strongest possible position for the future," she said.
State of play: Reynolds drove several major reforms as governor, including a private school scholarship program, lowering income taxes and restricting abortions after six weeks.
The latest: Among her 2025 priorities was creating a state DOGE task force, mirroring the federal group led by Elon Musk.
- She joined President Trump in D.C. last month when he signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education.
Between the lines: While Auditor Rob Sand, the only Democrat in Iowa state office, has not announced any intentions to run for office, he is a potential Democratic contender, per the Des Moines Register.
- Sand had a narrowly higher approval rating last year than Reynolds, per a June 2024 Des Moines Register/Iowa Poll.
- 53% approved of Sand, while 50% approved of Reynolds, according to the survey of 806 Iowans. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
Zoom out: In 2017, Reynolds succeeded Terry Branstad, who was the longest-serving governor in U.S. history. He served from 1983 to 1999, and again from 2011 to 2017.
- Reynolds pushed more conservative policies than her predecessor, according to a 2023 report.
Flashback: Reynolds initially endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, saying she believed Trump wouldn't be able to win.
- She later supported Trump.
Go deeper: Advocates: Reynolds' child care bill could hurt other programs
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional context.
