History of Kim Reynolds in Timeline

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

August 4, 1959: Kim Reynolds Born

Kimberly Kay Strawn, now known as Kim Reynolds, was born on August 4, 1959. She is an American politician and the current governor of Iowa.

1959: Born in St. Charles, Iowa

In 1959, Kimberly Kay Strawn, who would become Kim Reynolds, was born in St. Charles, Iowa.

1977: Graduated High School

In 1977, Kim Reynolds graduated from high school at the Interstate 35 Community School District.

1982: Married Kevin Reynolds

In 1982, Kim Reynolds married Kevin Reynolds.

1992: Took Accounting Classes

In 1992, Kim Reynolds began taking accounting classes at Southwestern Community College.

1994: Elected Clarke County Treasurer

In 1994, Kim Reynolds was elected as Clarke County treasurer. Also, while she was treasurer, she was selected to attend a trip to Taipei, Taiwan with the American Council of Young Political Leaders.

1995: Continued Accounting Classes

Kim Reynolds continued taking accounting classes at Southwestern Community College until 1995, furthering her education.

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.

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.

2009: Served in the Iowa Senate

In 2009, Kim Reynolds began serving a partial term in the Iowa Senate, marking a step up in her political career.

June 25, 2010: Selected as Lieutenant Governor Running Mate

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

November 2, 2010: Branstad/Reynolds Ticket Won General Election

On November 2, 2010, the Branstad/Reynolds ticket won the general election, securing their positions as governor and lieutenant governor.

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.

January 14, 2011: Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor

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

2011: Became Lieutenant Governor of Iowa

In 2011, Kim Reynolds became the 46th lieutenant governor of Iowa, serving until 2017.

2012: Started Bachelor's Program at Upper Iowa University

In 2012, Kim Reynolds enrolled in the bachelor of public administration program at Upper Iowa University.

July 2015: Elected Chair of National Lieutenant Governors Association

In July 2015, Kim Reynolds was elected as the chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA).

2015: Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court Decision

Obergefell v. Hodges happened in 2015

December 2016: Awarded Bachelor of Liberal Studies Degree

In December 2016, shortly before becoming governor, Kim Reynolds was awarded a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree with concentrations in political science, business management, and communications from Iowa State University.

May 2017: Became Governor of Iowa

In May 2017, Kim Reynolds assumed the role of governor of Iowa after Governor Terry Branstad stepped down to become the United States ambassador to China.

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 U.S. Ambassador to China, making Reynolds Iowa's first female governor.

May 25, 2017: Announced Adam Gregg as Acting Lieutenant Governor

On May 25, 2017, Kim Reynolds announced that Adam Gregg would serve as acting lieutenant governor, but not hold the official position, to avoid legal challenges after she became governor.

June 2017: Announced Campaign for Full Term as Governor

In June 2017, Kim Reynolds announced her intention to seek a full term as governor of Iowa in the 2018 election.

2017: Restored Voting Rights to Felons

From 2017 to April 2020, Kim Reynolds restored the voting rights of 543 felons, exceeding her predecessor's restorations.

2017: Became Governor of Iowa

In 2017, Kim Reynolds became the 43rd governor of Iowa, making her the first female governor in the state's history.

2017: Sought inpatient treatment for alcoholism

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

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.

May 2018: Signed Bill Revamping Energy Efficiency Policies

In May 2018, Kim Reynolds signed a bill to revamp Iowa's energy efficiency policies.

2018: Acknowledged Negative Impact of Trump's Trade Policies

In 2018, Kim Reynolds acknowledged that Trump's trade and tariff policies were hurting American farmers.

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.

2018: Won Full Term as Governor

In 2018, Kim Reynolds won a full term as governor of Iowa, securing her position in the state's leadership.

2018: Called Same-Sex Marriage a 'Settled' Issue

In 2018, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), Kim Reynolds called same-sex marriage a 'settled' issue.

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.

January 18, 2019: Began First Full Term

Kim Reynolds began her first full term as governor on January 18, 2019.

March 2019: Signed Bill Protecting Speech on Campus

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

December 2019: Launched Anti-Vaping Campaign

In December 2019, Kim Reynolds launched an anti-vaping social media campaign aimed at reducing vaping among Iowa youth.

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.

March 9, 2020: Proclamation of Disaster Emergency

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

April 2020: Restored Voting Rights to Felons

From 2017 to April 2020, Kim Reynolds restored the voting rights of 543 felons, exceeding her predecessor's restorations.

April 2020: COVID-19 restrictions and advice

In April 2020, Iowa health officials advised Reynolds to enforce face coverings and not ease restrictions, but Reynolds advocated for reopening the economy encouraging people to be responsible and wear masks.

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: Raised Minimum Age for Tobacco and Vaping Products

In July 2020, Kim Reynolds signed legislation that raised the minimum legal age to buy tobacco and vaping products to 21.

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.

August 2020: Signed Executive Order on Felon Voting Rights

In August 2020, Kim Reynolds signed an executive order permitting felons to vote in Iowa elections upon completing their sentence, addressing the state's previously strict lifetime ban.

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.

November 2020: COVID-19 in Iowa peaked

COVID-19 in Iowa peaked in November 2020, but remained high into the next year.

November 2020: Issued Statewide Mask Mandate

In November 2020, Reynolds issued a statewide mask mandate, requiring anyone over age 2 to wear a mask in indoor public spaces.

November 2020: Mask Mandate Issued

In November 2020, after the election, Kim Reynolds ordered the mandatory wearing of masks at large gatherings.

2020: Presidential Election

Democrats won the 2020 presidential election, with Trump and many other Republicans making false claims of fraud.

2020: Campaign Appearances with Trump

During the 2020 presidential campaign, Kim Reynolds made campaign appearances with Donald Trump.

2020: Proposed Sales Tax Increase and Income Tax Reduction

In 2020, Kim Reynolds proposed a one-cent increase in the state sales tax (bringing it to 8 cents), offset by a phased reduction in the state income tax, including a cut in the rate for the top bracket from 9% to 5.5%.

2020: Poor Approval Ratings for COVID-19 Handling

In 2020, Kim Reynolds received poor approval ratings for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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: State's COVID-19 Positivity and Vaccination Rates

In late January 2021, Iowa had the nation's third-highest COVID-19 positivity rate and third-lowest per capita vaccination rate.

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.

September 2021: Touted Funding from American Rescue Plan Act

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

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 1, 2022: Delivered 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: 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.

2022: Delivered Republican Response to State of the Union

In 2022, Kim Reynolds delivered the Republican response to President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address.

2022: Re-elected as Governor

In 2022, Kim Reynolds was re-elected as governor of Iowa, continuing her tenure in the role.

January 2023: Signed Students First Act

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

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.

September 2023: Kevin Reynolds Diagnosed with Lung Cancer

In September 2023, Kevin Reynolds, Kim Reynolds's husband, was diagnosed with lung cancer.

November 2023: Endorsed Ron DeSantis

In November 2023, Reynolds endorsed Ron DeSantis for the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries.

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.