Her Journey in Office

Assuming the governorship in 2017 after the appointment of Terry Branstad as U.S. ambassador to China, Reynolds has since secured victories in the 2018 and 2022 elections. In a heartfelt video shared on social media, she expressed gratitude for the trust Iowans placed in her, stating, “Serving as your Governor has been the greatest honor of my life.”

Motivation Behind Her Decision

Reynolds cited family commitments as the primary reason for her decision to step back from public office. In her announcement, she emphasized the importance of being present for her family, particularly following challenging times, including her husband Kevin’s lung cancer diagnosis, which is currently in remission. “Family is everything,” Reynolds affirmed.

A Legacy of Conservative Policies

As the first female governor of Iowa, Reynolds has implemented various conservative policies focusing on education, healthcare, and tax reforms. Her significant initiatives include:

• Promotion of a scholarship program for private schools.
• Reducing income tax rates for Iowans.
• Restricting abortion access after six weeks of pregnancy.
• Establishing a DOGE task force in Iowa to mirror a federal initiative.

Reynolds has also played a prominent role in national discussions, including participating in a March event with former President Donald Trump regarding educational reforms.

What’s Next?

As her current term concludes in January 2027, discussions will likely focus on her contributions and the direction Iowa will take moving forward without her leadership.