Celebrating Governor Branstad

Governor Branstad is a living legend and a testament to an important political truth: The greatest leaders are those who never forget their roots.

Governor Branstad saw Iowa through the farm crisis in the 1980s, cemented our First-in-the-Nation caucuses as a crucial stop on the presidential calendar, and recently navigated Iowa out of the financial peril created by previous administrations. Through it all— despite his friendships with national and international leaders — Governor Branstad was successful because he has never forgotten his hometown of Leland or his responsibility to the people of Iowa. We now have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S., even with a small downturn in the farming sector. This wouldn’t be possible without Governor Branstad’s foresight and vision.

Iowans are doers, not talkers. Our farmers feed the world; our students attend world-class universities; and our citizens take an active role in civic life, making Iowa an ideal place to start the presidential nomination process. Governor Branstad is a product of Iowa, and Iowa is a product of Governor Branstad.

I am a 7th generation Iowan, and for my entire adult life Terry Branstad has been a reassuring presence in the State House. Today Governor Branstad becomes the longest serving governor in American history, and it’s my humble pleasure to honor him in my role as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. Congratulations on your incredible accomplishment, Governor Branstad. You are truly one of a kind.