Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced her re-election campaign on Wednesday night at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Reynolds, who is finishing her first full term as governor, highlighted many of her accomplishments.
Reynolds discussed the spirit of kindness and generosity displayed by Iowans after last week’s deadly tornadoes before launching into her campaign pitch.
“I just want to start again by saying what an honor it is to serve as your governor,” she said. “To stand alongside of you in the defense of life, of liberty, of freedom and a constitution that protects those rights.”
Reynolds noted the floods, the pandemic, the derecho, the tornadoes and the civil unrest that has happened since she became governor.
“It hasn’t been easy, but let me just say, Iowans came through — you, everyone in this room, came through,” she said. “And I knew you would. And that’s why I put my faith in you and that’s why I’m so lucky to be your governor. Because no matter what comes at you, each and every one of you, you show up every time and you do what you need to do.”
She mentioned her response to the State of the Union Address and how honored she was to bring Iowa’s message to the entire country.
“Over the last few years, when you turned on the television and you watched the nightly news, you see one America where cities were defunding the police and crime was rampant. Businesses were locked down and kids were out of the classroom. You would see a nation in chaos,” she said. “But in Iowa, when you stepped outside of your home, you experienced something completely different. Businesses were open, kids were in school, law enforcement proudly and effectively enforced the rule of law, neighbors were helping neighbors. That’s Iowa. This is Iowa.
“In all of that chaos, in all of that madness, we didn’t lose ourselves, we didn’t lose our character. Instead, when Democrats across the country pushed for more government control, Iowa stood up and we stood out. We fought for greater freedom, we took on Biden’s COVID mandates, we banned mask mandates in our schools. Well here’s a little secret, and the facts, we did it last spring — not last week.”
Reynolds said Iowa got kids in the classroom before anyone else.
“Unlike Democrats, we didn’t wait for bad poll numbers to finally discover science,” she added. “In Iowa, we said no to a world of cancel culture where an elite few try to tell us what we can and cannot say, what we can and cannot believe. Because despite what you hear from President Biden and liberal elites, the threats facing this nation aren’t from Canadian truckers, Joe Rogan’s podcast or parents who care about their child’s education.
“The threats come from politicians who tell parents they should sit down, be silent and let government control their kids’ future. From elected officials who restrict your freedoms with COVID mandates that they don’t even follow. From a United States President who refuses to do his job and secure our border. Who refuses to stop human trafficking and who refuses to stop the staggering influx of deadly drugs they’re pouring into our neighborhoods. The problems come from a government that pays people to stay home and taxes those who go to work. That borrows and spends trillions, bankrupting your children and sending inflation soaring.
“I think it’s fairly clear that the Democrats aren’t focused on solving the problems that you’re facing.”
She highlighted some of her legislative accomplishments:
*Protecting the unborn
*Standing up for law enforcement
*Preserving girls’ sports for girls
*Protecting the integrity of our elections
*Promoting energy independence and home-grown biofuels
“And unlike D.C., we’re not overspending. We’re balancing our budget and we’re cutting taxes,” she said.
She spoke glowingly about the tax reform bill she signed last week. And she discussed the importance of empowering parents in education.
“Every day we continue to support our schools. But we’re also, we’re also empowering parents with greater parental control and transparency in our education system,” she said. “Because you know, and as the signs show parents matter. These are your kids, not the government’s.”
Shortly after that, Reynolds announced her candidacy.
“(This next election) is not about liberal versus conservative. It is not about Republican versus Democrat. It’s about who’s going to fight to keep Iowa and America free,” she said. “It’s about who is going to put their trust in you? President Biden won’t. Blue state governors across the country didn’t. But I did. Your Republican legislators did. And we will continue to do so.
“That’s why I’m fired up and I am so excited to finally announce tonight, my candidacy for Governor of the great state of Iowa.”
