President-elect Donald Trump has selected Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as Ambassador to China. The announcement came Wednesday after weeks of speculation.
Branstad was a contender for the job due to his close friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, dating back to a trip Branstad made to China in 1985. Branstad’s friendship with Beijing could help president-elect Donald Trump repair shaky relations with the country.
Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) will replace Branstad’s spot as governor. Reynolds has served as Lieutenant Governor since 2011 and was an Iowa State Senator prior to joining the Branstad ticket. Reynolds would serve as the state’s first female governor.
Governor Branstad will still need to be confirmed by the Senate and formally nominated by Trump. Branstad is the longest-serving governor in American history, having served a total of six terms.
