Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will be sworn in today as Iowa's 43rd governor and the first female governor in the state's history. Current governor Terry Branstad will officially step down today after being confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to China. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate Monday afternoon.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Iowa Capitol Building later today. An inauguration celebration is being planned for June 2nd. That ceremony is intended to show the GOP's support for Reynolds. A Republican party spokesperson said that if there is a primary race for the nomination in 2018, the party will be neutral.

Reynolds served as Lt. Governor for six and a half years.

 

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