- Kim Reynolds (R-IA) won re-election as Iowa governor in 2022 by 19 points over Democrat Deidre DeJear — a decisive win in a state Trump won by 9 points, reflecting Reynolds's personal strength and Iowa's long rightward shift.
- Iowa is R+12 — a state that voted for Obama twice and has since moved dramatically toward the Republican Party, and Reynolds has governed as an aggressive social conservative who signed major restrictions on abortion, education, and gender medicine.
- She signed Iowa's near-six-week abortion ban (2023) after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade — one of the strictest in the Midwest — and has made parental rights in education a signature issue through school choice legislation.
- Reynolds succeeded Terry Branstad in 2017 and became the first woman elected governor of Iowa in 2018 — governing as a fiscal conservative who has cut income taxes and corporate taxes while expanding school choice programs.
Biography
Kim Reynolds was born on August 4, 1959, in St. Charles, Iowa — a small town in Madison County with a population of under 500. She grew up in rural Iowa and attended the University of Iowa, though she left before completing her degree. Her early career was in business, running a tax service and working in local retail, before she entered politics at the county level.
Reynolds began her political career as Ringgold County Treasurer in 1994, a position she held for ten years. She was elected to the Iowa State Senate in 2008, quickly rising within Republican ranks. In 2010, she was elected Iowa's lieutenant governor on the ticket with Terry Branstad, who was beginning his historic fifth term as governor. Reynolds was re-elected alongside Branstad in 2014.
Her path to the governorship came unexpectedly in May 2017, when President Donald Trump nominated Branstad to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China. Reynolds was sworn in as governor on May 24, 2017, becoming Iowa's first female governor. She stepped into a state that had been trending Republican but where the office had been held by the same man for most of the prior three decades.
Reynolds won her first full gubernatorial term in 2018 — a notably difficult year for Republicans nationally — defeating Democrat Fred Hubbell by just over 3 points. The race was among the closest in Iowa in recent history. She won re-election decisively in 2022, defeating Democrat Deidre DeJear by approximately 19 points, a result that positioned her as one of the most successful Republican governors in the country and elevated her national profile considerably.
Iowa has no gubernatorial term limits, and Reynolds is expected to seek a third full term in 2026. During her tenure she has pursued a consistently conservative agenda: a flat income tax, the nation's most expansive school choice program, abortion restrictions, and a business-friendly regulatory environment. Her endorsement of Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential primary — rather than Trump — created friction with the former president and his supporters, a dynamic that continues to shape her political positioning.
Key Policy Positions
School Choice
Reynolds signed Iowa's Education Savings Account legislation in 2023, creating one of the most expansive school choice programs in the nation. The program allows families to use public education dollars — approximately $7,600 per student — for private school tuition, home schooling, or approved education expenses. She frames school choice as the defining civil rights issue of the current era.
Flat Income Tax
Reynolds signed legislation in 2022 transitioning Iowa to a flat 3.9% income tax rate, phased in through 2026. Iowa previously had nine tax brackets with a top rate of 8.53%. The reform was one of the largest tax cuts in Iowa history and is a centerpiece of her fiscal record, regularly cited as a model by national conservative policy organizations.
Abortion & Social Policy
Reynolds signed a six-week abortion polling in 2023 after the Iowa Supreme Court cleared the way. The law bans most abortions after cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks. She has also signed legislation restricting transgender athletes in school sports and curtailing LGBTQ+ content in public school curricula — positioning Iowa as a laboratory for conservative social legislation.
2026 & Beyond
Reynolds is expected to run for a third full term as Iowa governor in 2026. Iowa has no term limits, and she remains popular among Iowa Republicans. Her approval rating sits around 53% statewide. Given Iowa's sharp Republican tilt in recent elections, she is considered a strong favorite for re-election, barring significant national headwinds or a primary challenge from her right.
Her relationship with Donald Trump is the most significant variable in her near-term political calculus. Her endorsement of Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Iowa caucuses — a high-profile gamble that backfired badly when Trump won the state in a landslide — drew public criticism from Trump himself. Since Trump's 2024 general election victory, Reynolds has worked to rebuild that relationship, meeting with Trump and aligning with his administration's policy agenda.
If Trump does not seek a third term and does not crown a chosen successor, Reynolds is among the governors most frequently mentioned as a potential 2028 Republican contender. Her combination of electoral success, conservative policy record, and Iowa's early primary position makes her a formidable potential candidate. Her school choice record and flat tax reform are particularly valued by conservative donors and primary voters nationally.
Electoral History
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kim Reynolds?
Kim Reynolds is the Republican Governor of Iowa, the state's first female governor. She took office in May 2017 when predecessor Terry Branstad was appointed U.S. Ambassador to China, and has since won two full terms. She is known for signing sweeping school choice legislation, a flat income tax, and a six-week abortion polling.
Is Kim Reynolds running for re-election in 2026?
Iowa has no gubernatorial term limits, and Reynolds is expected to run for a third full term in 2026. She is considered a heavy favorite in Iowa's strongly Republican statewide environment. Her approval rating is around 53%.
What happened between Kim Reynolds and Donald Trump?
Reynolds endorsed Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Iowa Republican caucuses rather than Trump. Trump won Iowa by a wide margin, and publicly criticized Reynolds. Since Trump's 2024 general election victory, Reynolds has worked to repair the relationship and has aligned with the Trump administration's agenda.
