Gov. Reynolds Appoints State Senator as the 48th Lieutenant Governor of Iowa

It was with the resignation of Lt. Governor Adam Gregg stepping down from his position to focus more on his family and personal life that created a vacancy that the Iowa Governor filled today.

Adam Gregg served alongside Governor Kim Reynolds for seven years, but he felt that his role in public office had kept him away from his growing children too much. While his decision to resign was difficult, he believed it was the right one for his family.

Governor Reynolds expressed her gratitude for Adam's service and understood his decision to step down to prioritize family. Adam Gregg had been the lieutenant governor since 2017 and was re-elected with Governor Reynolds in 2018 and 2022.

With his resignation effective September 3, 2024, Governor Reynolds would need to appoint a new lieutenant governor to serve for the rest of the current term.

Who is the New Lt Governor?

Many in Iowa have been waiting, and now you'll wait no more.  Governor Reynolds has just appointed Chris Cournoyer as Iowa's new Lieutenant Governor! Chris, who lives in LeClaire, Iowa, has a strong background in politics and tech.

She was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2018 and chaired some pretty big committees, including one that helped Iowa become the sixth state to pass laws protecting consumer data.

Governor Reynolds is excited about Chris joining the team, highlighting her character, judgment, and ability to step in as governor if necessary. She also thinks Chris' experience in tech and innovation will be a huge asset to the state.

Chris herself is honored by the appointment and can’t wait to work alongside the Governor to help move Iowa forward. She has a solid background in technology, business, and education, having worked as a consultant at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), run her own web design business, and even taught robotics and coding.

Chris has also been recognized as an “Iowa Woman of Innovation” and has served on local boards. On top of that, she’s a dedicated volunteer and a proud mom of four.

What Does the Lt Governor in Iowa Do?

According to Ballotpedia in Iowa, "The lieutenant governor succeeds the governor in case of death, impeachment, resignation, removal from office, or other disability. The lieutenant governor's other duties are assigned by the governor.

Get our free mobile app

As of January 19, 2021, the lieutenant governor served as Chair of the Governor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform and Co-Chair of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative."

Recently, there wasn't a Lieutenant governor, so what happens then? Ballotpedia goes on to say that, "in the event of a vacancy in the lieutenant governorship, power devolves first to the president pro tem of the Iowa State Senate and then to the Iowa House of Representatives. If those offices are also vacant, or if the officers are unable or unwilling to succeed, the Justices of the Iowa Supreme Court convene the legislature in order for the legislature to vote on a new president pro tem."