The ads are everywhere: every channel, every Youtube video and any other source of media entertainment. Many people may have seen the big names: Kim Reynolds and Fred Hubbell. However, here is everything one should know about the race for governor as the battle gets more heated.
Kim Reynolds, a member of the Republican party, is looking to being re-elected for the seat of governor. Her running mate is Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, who has been by Governor Reynold’s side since May of 2017. Governor Reynolds has been a part of the government since 2009, starting as a member of the Iowa Senate, then eventually moving on to Lt. Governor. Finally in 2017, former Governor Branstad appointed Reynolds as governor after he was chosen to be the US Ambassador to China.
Some of Governor Reynolds biggest policies are related to creating jobs, cutting taxes, and investing in education. In relation to her plans for education, Reynolds says, “The more we can get students and educators and business and industry matched up, it really helps our educators see what the industry really looks like.” She believes in prioritizing education by investing in opportunities that would allow students to get ready to join the workforce.
Governor Reynolds has been publicly endorsed by many Republicans in Iowa and around the country. Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican senator for Iowa, says, “She has been a fantastic governor for the state of Iowa. She has worked at various levels of the government, starting at county government, she’s worked as a state senator, then Lt. Governor and now governor, so she has a lot of experience.” This endorsement carries a lot of weight, and increases her chances very much.
However, Reynolds is in a fierce competition against Fred Hubbell. Hubbell, a member of the Democratic party, had been neck and neck with Reynolds as it got closer and closer to election day. His running mate is Rita Heart, a former member of the Iowa Senate. Hubbell’s campaign is based around the idea that Reynolds term as governor has not been good for Iowa, and his campaign is based all around change. Many of his main policies are related to education, mental health, and economic development.
Just as Reynolds has received many big endorsements, Hubbell has also been endorsed by many state and federal officials including Attorney General of Iowa, Tom Miller, and even the local Davenport Alderman, Mike Matson. He was also supported by former Vice President Joe Biden who commented in a rally at Cedar Rapids, “We need more women and men of character like Fred” from an article on the Des Moines Register. This comes as a huge boost to the gubernatorial candidate as well.
This election was a tight race, with both candidates neck and neck on election day. In the end Reynolds ended up on top, but it wasn’t easy, as this was one of Iowa’s closest elections in history.
