Terry Branstad and Kim Reynolds Campaign photo

tamatoledonews.com – ANKENY  (SPECIAL) -Gov. Terry Branstad today announced that state Sen. Kim Reynolds will be his running mate in the Nov. 2 general election.

Citing her as a person who shares his core values and passion for leading Iowa’s comeback, Branstad welcomed her to the ticket during a 7-city statewide tour.“It is with great pleasure I introduce you to the next lieutenant governor of the great state of Iowa, Kim Reynolds,” said Branstad. “She is a passionate advocate for rural development and is committed to helping bring jobs and economic opportunity into every corner of Iowa. For the past two years she has served in the Iowa Senate and many have praised her as an intelligent and articulate up-and-coming new leader in Iowa.”

In accepting Gov. Branstad’s offer, Reynolds noted the challenges Iowa faces and pledged to assist him with his job creation goals and balancing the state’s budget.

“Today we stand at a cross roads,” Reynolds said. “We have a state with more than 115,000 Iowans out of work and the highest unemployment rate in decades. We have a projected state budget gap of nearly $1 billion dollars. And we have seen a dramatic slide in student test scores and teacher layoffs in school districts across the state. We can do better. We must do better. And, as Terry Branstad’s running mate, I will dedicate my every waking minute to sharing with Iowans his ambitious goals for our future.”

Reynolds will be nominated and voted on at Saturday’s state Republican convention in Des Moines.