Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Kim Reynolds

Public opinion and media debates around Kim Reynolds—discover key moments of controversy.

Kim Reynolds is the 43rd and current governor of Iowa, serving since 2017. As a member of the Republican Party, she holds the distinction of being the first female governor in the state's history. Her tenure signifies a milestone for women in Iowan politics.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1999: Charged with DUI

In 1999, Reynolds was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

August 2000: Charged with DUI

In August 2000, Reynolds was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.

2010: Endorsed Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

In 2010, Kim Reynolds endorsed a ban on same-sex marriage in Iowa, taking a clear stance on the issue.

May 2018: Signed Fetal Heartbeat Bill

Also in May 2018, Kim Reynolds signed a 'fetal heartbeat bill,' which was one of the nation's most restrictive abortion bans.

2018: Proposed Medicaid Cuts

In 2018, Kim Reynolds proposed cutting $10 million from Medicaid, which provides care for low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.

January 2019: Fetal Heartbeat Bill Struck Down

In January 2019, an Iowa state judge struck down the 'fetal heartbeat bill' signed by Kim Reynolds in May 2018 as unconstitutional.

2019: Auction Benefiting Iowa Select Farms' Foundation

In 2019, Kim Reynolds donated an afternoon of her time as part of a charity auction to benefit the Iowa Select Farms' owners' foundation, raising concerns about potential impropriety due to the company's significant campaign contributions.

April 2020: Signed TestIowa Contract

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

July 2020: Invalidated school districts' plans

In July 2020, Reynolds said she would invalidate some school districts' plans to limit in-person classes, overriding local school districts and requiring students to spend at least half of their schooling in classrooms.

July 2020: Sought to block local mask mandates

In July 2020, Reynolds sought to block Iowa localities' mask mandates, deeming them "not appropriate" and unlawful.

July 2020: COVID-19 Testing at Pork Producer Facilities

In May and July 2020, Kim Reynolds's administration arranged for COVID-19 testing at Iowa Select's West Des Moines headquarters and at the Waverly facility partly owned by another campaign donor, raising concerns about prioritizing political donors over vulnerable populations.

September 2020: Revoked quarantine guidelines

In September 2020, the Reynolds administration broke with the CDC's quarantine guidelines, revoking guidelines recommending that people exposed to the virus quarantine for 14 days.

October 2020: Attended Indoor Fundraiser and Rally

In October 2020, Reynolds appeared at an indoor fundraiser for the Republican Party and a large rally in a hangar for President Trump, where attendees did not wear masks or socially distance.

January 2021: Criticism and Investigation of COVID-19 Testing

In January 2021, Kim Reynolds faced criticism from Polk County Supervisor Matt McCoy, and State Auditor Rob Sand began an investigation into whether political donors received special treatment during COVID-19 testing over essential workers and vulnerable persons.

January 2021: Acknowledged Biden's Victory After Capitol Attack

In January 2021, after the storming of the Capitol, Kim Reynolds acknowledged Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election, following the counting of the electoral votes by Congress.

January 2021: Signed bill 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: Rolled Back Mask Requirements and Restrictions

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

March 2021: Signed Bill Shortening Polling Hours

In March 2021, Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill that shortened the hours of polling places on Election Day, reduced the early voting period, and required absentee ballots to be received before the end of Election Day, citing the need to protect election integrity.

March 2021: Opposed American Rescue Plan Act

In March 2021, Reynolds voiced her opposition to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

April 2, 2021: Signed Legislation on Landlord Tenant Restrictions

Later in April 2021, Kim Reynolds signed legislation that would allow landlords to reject tenants who pay rent with Section 8 vouchers.

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, a policy known as constitutional carry.

May 2021: Signed Bills Regarding Proof of Vaccination and Masks

In May 2021, Reynolds signed into law a bill prohibiting businesses and local governments from requiring proof of vaccination, and another bill prohibiting school districts from requiring masks.

2021: Signed Abortion Waiting Period Bill

In 2021, Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill that required women seeking an abortion to wait 24 hours, but an Iowa court struck the law down.

March 3, 2022: Signed Bill Banning Transgender Athletes

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

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

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.

2023: Signed Six-Week Abortion Ban

In 2023, Kim Reynolds signed a six-week abortion ban into law in Iowa.

2023: Legislation to Strip State Auditor's Powers

In 2023, Kim Reynolds signed legislation to strip the state auditor's powers, following an investigation into potential special treatment for political donors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

February 1, 2024: Introduced Bill Defining "Man" and "Woman"

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.