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The Republican Governor Who Quietly Keeps Getting It Right

Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2022
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AMAC Exclusive – By Eleanor Vaughn

Reynold

Every four years, the country’s attention turns to the Iowa caucuses, the first of the presidential contests. Then, when the caucuses are over, the candidates (and the attention of the political media) leave Iowa until the next election. But for the more than three million people who live in Iowa, the state doesn’t simply disappear. And now, under the leadership of Republican Governor Kim Reynolds, the country – and Republican politicians in particular – may do well to pay a little more attention to the Hawkeye State outside of campaign season.

Reynolds was first elected in 2018 after serving two terms as lieutenant governor and serving as governor for a year after her predecessor, Terry Branstad, was confirmed as President Trump’s Ambassador to China. A native Iowan, Reynolds has served her state as a county treasurer, a state senator, and now, as Governor – the first woman to hold the post in the state’s history. She has guided Iowa through the pandemic and every other crisis of the last four years, and, though her efforts have not been widely publicized, they have been commendable. Her recent Condition of the State Address provides a window into what Iowa—and Governor Reynolds—are doing right.

Reynolds particularly focused on education issues in the speech, which, as a contest for Virginia Governor showed last year, have captured voters’ attention. In light of the proliferation of Critical Race Theory and other left-wing ideologies in schools, Reynolds called for transparency from schools about what they are teaching and what materials students have access to. She specifically raised the issue of explicit books with “X-rated” content being allowed in elementary and middle-school libraries. She further said schools should address parents’ concerns, not ignore them (a seemingly simple enough request, although not one that many on the left agree with). “Enough is enough,” Reynolds pledged. “Parents matter, and we’re going to make sure you stay in charge of your child’s education.”

Reynolds also spoke directly to parents on the issue of school choice. While appreciative of the Iowa public school system, she recognizes that practically speaking, it doesn’t work for every child. So, she discussed a new initiative to increase school choice, promising legislation that would create “an individualized educational plan to receive a portion of the ‘per pupil’ funds allocated annually by the state to move their child to the education system of their choice.”

Reynolds’ policies are built on the principle that parents should be informed about what schools are teaching, and should be able to choose what school and learning environment is right for their child. At the same time, with more choices available to students, Reynolds argues that schools will have an incentive to improve to compete for students, which will ultimately raise the overall quality of the school system.

However, Reynolds does not plan to pit parents and teachers against each other. She also announced a plan to award a $1,000 bonus to teachers who have stayed in their jobs throughout the pandemic, despite the many difficulties. With so many teachers throughout the country resigning or fighting with their school districts, Reynolds’s plan to encourage and support Iowa’s teachers is an intriguing experiment, in a similar vein to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s promise to raise teacher pay and then demand that schools perform better.

Reynolds also outlined an ambitious apprenticeship program for high schoolers interested in education or healthcare. This program would have high schoolers working with professionals in their field, getting paid, and jump-starting their careers before graduation. With college costs at an all-time high, apprenticeship programs like these could offer an attractive alternative for students who don’t want to take on the debt associated with four-year colleges.

The struggling economy is, of course, the most important issue for many Americans. Iowa is doing well on the jobs front, with 1.54 million workers employed as of November 2021, almost 80% of pre-pandemic numbers. Notably, Reynolds refused to lock down as strictly as many other states during the onset of the pandemic in 2020, and as a result, her state has been able to recover more quickly than most. Reynolds is encouraging this rebound, with a statewide grant program for childcare facilities, making it easier for parents to go back to work, as well as a proposal for a flat 4% income tax rate. After running a historic $1.2 billion surplus last year, Reynolds and Iowa Republicans believe the state is taking too much in taxes, and that a tax cut is in order– including a complete repeal of tax collected on retirement income.

Some of Reynolds’s other accomplishments of the last four years include the “Back the Blue” bill, a law designed to punish rioters more strictly, a repeal of the death tax, an expansion of telehealth services, and a program to expand broadband access, especially to rural areas. Her actions appear to have been rooted consistently in common sense and conservative principles. She has not been deaf to public criticism, but she has not been intimidated by mobs.

With all of these achievements aimed at creating a place for working families to thrive, it’s no surprise that U.S. News and World Report ranked Iowa the number one state for an opportunity in 2021. Iowans seem to agree, as well. Reynolds’s overall approval rating is 51%, with 56% approving of her handling of the economy. The approval for both her educational policies and her COVID policies is 52%.

In a state that went 52% for Barack Obama in 2012, such numbers are significant, and perhaps have something to do with Donald Trump’s landslide victory there in 2020. In Washington, politicians often pursue policies that must be everything to everyone and end up being nothing, which contributes to plummeting approval ratings for Congress. Meanwhile, Reynolds’s more grounded, practical approach has proven both popular and effective.

Governor Kim Reynolds is an excellent example of what can be done, rather than what politicians say they will do. During her four years as governor, she has been effective in leading her state through crises that the country and the world have been shaken by. As we enter the midterm season and creep ever closer to campaigns for 2024, candidates should remember the Reynolds record in Iowa as an excellent example of what it means, after the election is over, to be a proven conservative leader. And all of us—candidates and voters—should remember that elections aren’t the end, but the beginning—and that governing is even harder than winning.

Eleanor Vaughn is a writer living in Virginia.

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Michelle Hamilton
Michelle Hamilton
2 years ago

Bravo, Governor Reynolds!

Max
Max
2 years ago

Iowa should be proud to have such a common sense, proactive Governor Reynolds at the helm. May she continue to lead her state with such wisdom.

Rib
Rib
2 years ago

Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota is pretty good too and somewhat under spotlighted too.

Bryan Doty
Bryan Doty
2 years ago

The Republican majority here in Iowa is very proud of our Governor Reynolds! She is doing a fantastic job!

Hof
Hof
2 years ago

Common sense based on Christian values and the constitution always make sense.

Stephen Russell
Stephen Russell
2 years ago

She & DeSantis Big time Hoorah

johnh
johnh
2 years ago

Keep up the good work Governor Kim Reynolds, America needs more people like you.

Steve de Kater
Steve de Kater
2 years ago

Why is her approval rating only 51%? Are people in Iowa not happy with what she is doing? Apparently, because she only has the support of barely half of those polled. It is the same with President Biden; who in the world could possibly think he is doing a good job? His numbers should be much lower than they are…makes you wonder about these polls.

John
John
2 years ago

Unfortunately, too many people don’t look at the candidate, or the incumbent, all they see is the ‘R’ or the ‘D’. They know little to nothing about the country, the economics, the freedoms….and you can’t fix stupid.

Granny
Granny
2 years ago

And, Governor Noem of South Dakota!!! Both are extremely intelligent leaders who understand their states, their people, the constitution and both have COMMON SENSE, which somewhere along the line has totally been forgotten!

Maurice Brandt
Maurice Brandt
2 years ago

Shouldn’t be too long until the MSM send hostile reporters to Iowa to bug her like they have done to Governor Noem in South Dakota. It seems female conservatives who successfully lead are not favored by the liberal media. Imagine that!

Smbat Hacopian
Smbat Hacopian
2 years ago

wonderful

George
George
2 years ago

Would make a Good Presidential candidate !

Michael T Jennings
Michael T Jennings
2 years ago

Please,Please send her to Colorado to straighten out the mess Polis has gotten us into.

Larry W.
Larry W.
2 years ago

A Big Thank You to Governor Kim Reynolds. A true American, leader and Patriot.

Gloria Hensley
Gloria Hensley
2 years ago

Was the bioweapon demanded for everyone, or did Iowans have the option to take the risks or not?

Mary
Mary
2 years ago

Why give a conservative, responsible, respectable, faithful woman with a good head on her shoulders a second glance? Not like they are a dime a dozen these days. The only ones who get mention are the radical, leftist big mouths ready to cause trouble…that makes news!

God bless you Kim Reynolds!

papayec
papayec
2 years ago

Public “schools” in the US are a nightmare. They should be shut down.

SAMSON
SAMSON
2 years ago

It is inspiring to find a good governor out there in this present day of liberal minded fools. GOD bless and keep up the good work!

BAE
BAE
2 years ago

I wish we had more governors like Kim Reynolds. We certainly need more good governors.
With the liberal cities falling apart and so much negativity, it is great to hear.

Barb
Barb
2 years ago

I know it’s a big step down, but San Antonio needs somebody like a Kim Reynolds as the mayor to improve the city over the Democrat mayor currently in place. She sounds like she has the sense and business knowledge that is so desperately needed. Foxtrot Juliet Bravo

LiamL
LiamL
2 years ago

I hope they have made efforts to secure their elections. Any state that doesn’t is wrong. Doesn’t matter how ‘red’ the state is.

Rik
Rik
2 years ago

If people in Iowa don’t appreciate her I would gladly welcome her to move to California where I live and run to replace Governor Gavin “Gruesome” Newsom!

Arnold
Arnold
2 years ago

And she is easy on the eyes.

GKP
GKP
2 years ago

The USA needs a REPUBLICAN Governor in every state in the Union and then the problems this liberal regime has caused will go away along with the idiot Joe Biden who qualifies as the worst President in USA history/ congrats to Kim Reynolds and the job she is doing// The red states are doing well and the blue states are floundering and pathetic as well as the crime with no law & order

donald a colongeli
donald a colongeli
2 years ago

LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. WE NEED MORE PATRIOTS LIKE HER AND GOV DE SANTIS.

Bill on the Hill
Bill on the Hill
2 years ago

This was an excellent story on Governor Reynolds in Iowa as it brings to mind Kristi Noam of S. Dakota fame… Reynolds represents a solid conservative based way of managing her state in a thoughtful manner as America is surely in need many more leaders such as Governor Reynolds…
Bill… :~)

Karen
Karen
2 years ago

Great write-up! Kim Reynolds is a star and a great patriot.

Jean
Jean
2 years ago

As a proud Iowan, I can confirm that she has done a great job. Not everyone agrees, of course, but that is normal. I am proud of how she has kept our economy going during the pandemic, as well as keeping schools and businesses open.

Becky
Becky
2 years ago

Since true conservatism is firmly based in logic and critical thinking, this Governor is the epitome of why conservatism works.
Iowa is very fortunate to have such a clear thinker. Well done Governor Reynolds.

Dave
Dave
2 years ago

Can she please move to Ohio and replace Compromise Dewine?

Billmish
Billmish
2 years ago

You go Kim Reynolds, I say give Kamala Harris a janitor’s job in the capitol to clean up the mess her and Joe created and promote Kim to VP so we have a real VP! Kim Reynolds has more balls than any man in DC!

Robert Zuccaro
Robert Zuccaro
2 years ago

I wish I lived in a “free state” instead of Northern Nevada which is rapidly becoming just another suburb of California!

DKP2015
DKP2015
2 years ago

HEY!!!! That’s my Governor!!! And you are absolutely correct!! She is the same league as Desantis!

Wayne
Wayne
2 years ago

I’m impressed! I know the line is long, but can we get her here in North Carolina? We really need a governor who cares about more than being a control freak.

Sovereign
Sovereign
2 years ago

I’m glad that she favors school choice. That needs to be a litmus test for every single candidate.

Sally Duncan
Sally Duncan
2 years ago

Commom sense should prevail in all situations, but not a lot if people have it. Good for this governor of Iowa! Those who are so interested in serving the rediculous could learn a lessen or two from her!

Ray
Ray
2 years ago

Sounds like someone who should consider a Presidential run

Michelle Hamilton
Michelle Hamilton
2 years ago

Bravo, Governor Reynolds!

Max
Max
2 years ago

Iowa should be proud to have such a common sense, proactive Governor Reynolds at the helm. May she continue to lead her state with such wisdom.

Rib
Rib
2 years ago

Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota is pretty good too and somewhat under spotlighted too.

Bryan Doty
Bryan Doty
2 years ago

The Republican majority here in Iowa is very proud of our Governor Reynolds! She is doing a fantastic job!

Hof
Hof
2 years ago

Common sense based on Christian values and the constitution always make sense.

Stephen Russell
Stephen Russell
2 years ago

She & DeSantis Big time Hoorah

johnh
johnh
2 years ago

Keep up the good work Governor Kim Reynolds, America needs more people like you.

Steve de Kater
Steve de Kater
2 years ago

Why is her approval rating only 51%? Are people in Iowa not happy with what she is doing? Apparently, because she only has the support of barely half of those polled. It is the same with President Biden; who in the world could possibly think he is doing a good job? His numbers should be much lower than they are…makes you wonder about these polls.

John
John
2 years ago

Unfortunately, too many people don’t look at the candidate, or the incumbent, all they see is the ‘R’ or the ‘D’. They know little to nothing about the country, the economics, the freedoms….and you can’t fix stupid.

Granny
Granny
2 years ago

And, Governor Noem of South Dakota!!! Both are extremely intelligent leaders who understand their states, their people, the constitution and both have COMMON SENSE, which somewhere along the line has totally been forgotten!

Maurice Brandt
Maurice Brandt
2 years ago

Shouldn’t be too long until the MSM send hostile reporters to Iowa to bug her like they have done to Governor Noem in South Dakota. It seems female conservatives who successfully lead are not favored by the liberal media. Imagine that!

Smbat Hacopian
Smbat Hacopian
2 years ago

wonderful

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