Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kim Reynolds

How Kim Reynolds built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kim Reynolds is the 43rd and current governor of Iowa, serving since 2017. As a Republican, she made history as the first female governor of Iowa. Before becoming governor, she served as the 46th lieutenant governor of Iowa from 2011 to 2017. Her political career and rise to the governorship mark a significant milestone in Iowa's political landscape.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1994: Elected Clarke County Treasurer

In 1994, Kim Reynolds was elected as the Clarke County treasurer in Iowa.

November 4, 2008: Elected to Iowa Senate

On November 4, 2008, Kim Reynolds was elected to represent the 48th district in the Iowa Senate, defeating Ruth Smith and Rodney Schmidt.

June 25, 2010: Selected as Lieutenant Governor Candidate

On June 25, 2010, Terry Branstad selected Kim Reynolds as his running mate for lieutenant governor.

November 2, 2010: Branstad/Reynolds Ticket Wins Election

On November 2, 2010, the Branstad/Reynolds ticket won the general election in Iowa.

January 14, 2011: Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor

On January 14, 2011, Kim Reynolds was sworn in as the lieutenant governor of Iowa.

May 24, 2017: Became Governor of Iowa

On May 24, 2017, Kim Reynolds became the governor of Iowa after Terry Branstad resigned to become the United States Ambassador to China.

May 25, 2017: Named Acting Lieutenant Governor

On May 25, 2017, Kim Reynolds announced that Adam Gregg would serve as acting lieutenant governor to avoid litigation due to the circumstances of her taking office.

January 18, 2019: Began First Full Term as Governor

On January 18, 2019, Kim Reynolds began her first full term as governor of Iowa.

March 2019: Signed Bill Protecting Campus Speech

In March 2019, Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill requiring public universities to protect all speech on campus.

March 9, 2020: Proclamation of Disaster Emergency Signed

On March 9, 2020, Kim Reynolds signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2020: TestIowa Contract Signed

In April 2020, Reynolds signed a $26 million, no-bid contract with Nomi Health, a Utah startup, to develop a COVID-19 testing program called TestIowa.

July 2020: Reynolds Invalidated School Districts' Plans

In July 2020, Reynolds said she would invalidate some school districts' plans to limit in-person classes to one day a week for most students, with online learning on other days, overriding local school districts and requiring students to spend at least half of their schooling in classrooms.

November 2020: Mandatory Mask Order Issued

After the November 2020 election, Reynolds ordered the mandatory wearing of masks at large gatherings in Iowa.

November 2020: Statewide Mask Mandate Issued

In November 2020, Reynolds issued a statewide mask mandate, ordering anyone over age 2 to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, reversing her previous claim that face masks are ineffective.

January 2021: Bill Signed Requiring Full-Time In-Person Classes

In late January 2021, Reynolds signed a bill requiring school districts to provide full-time in-person classes upon parents' request.

February 2021: Rollback of Mask Requirements and Restrictions

In February 2021, Reynolds rolled back mask requirements in indoor public places and restrictions on indoor dining, without consulting with experts at the Iowa Department of Public Health.

March 2021: Opposition to American Rescue Plan Act

In March 2021, Reynolds voiced her opposition to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, saying it would "provide bigger checks to states who chose aggressive shutdowns and mismanaged their state budgets."

April 2, 2021: Signed Constitutional Carry Bill

On April 2, 2021, Kim Reynolds signed a bill allowing individuals to purchase and carry handguns without a permit in Iowa.

May 2021: Bill Signed Prohibiting Proof of Vaccination Requirements

In May 2021, Reynolds signed into law a bill that prohibited businesses and local governments from requiring customers to have proof of vaccination. She also signed into law a bill that prohibited school districts from requiring masks.

September 2021: Touted Funding for Iowa's Water Infrastructure

In September 2021, Reynolds touted $100 million in funding for Iowa's water infrastructure that was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

March 1, 2022: Republican Response to State of the Union

On March 1, 2022, Reynolds was selected to deliver the Republican response to President Biden's State of the Union address.

March 3, 2022: Bill Banning Transgender Athletes Signed

On March 3, 2022, she signed into law a bill that bans transgender girls and women from participating on designated female sports teams.

January 2023: Students First Act Signed

In January 2023, Reynolds signed the Students First Act, which made private school vouchers available in Iowa for the first time.

March 22, 2023: Law Banning Gender-Affirming Care for Minors Signed

On March 22, 2023, Reynolds signed a law banning the prescription of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and gender-affirming surgery to minors, as well as a law prohibiting people from using school restrooms that do not align with their sex at birth.

November 2023: Endorsement of Ron DeSantis

In November 2023, Reynolds endorsed Ron DeSantis for the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries, stating she did not believe Trump could win the general election.

February 1, 2024: Bill Defining Man and Woman Introduced

On February 1, 2024, Reynolds introduced a bill defining "man" and "woman" based on reproductive anatomy and requiring that official identification documents list sex at birth.

March 2024: Endorsement of Donald Trump and Low Approval Rating

In March 2024, Reynolds endorsed Donald Trump and a survey found that Reynolds had the lowest approval rating of any U.S. governor.

February 28, 2025: Elimination of Gender Identity as a Protected Class

On February 28, 2025, Reynolds signed Senate File 418, which eliminated gender identity as a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, making Iowa the first U.S. state to do so.