DES MOINES, Iowa – Roughly 24 hours after Gov. Kim Reynolds made the announcement that she won’t be seeking a third term, she took time to speak to reporters during Saturday’s annual Egg Hunt on the Hill.

For more than 10 minutes, Governor Reynolds fielded questions about her family, past accomplishments and the future of the Republican party. These are the highlights from the conversation. You can watch the interview in its entirety below.

On the future of the Republican Party:

The Governor said she is going to do everything she can to ensure her successor is a Republican.

“You know, we’ve done a lot. I feel really… I’m really proud of what we’ve gotten done in eight years,” she said. “I really think it’s been transformative. But I’ve also worked with a lot of very talented people, and we do have a deep bench, and I’m proud of that. And so that helps when you know, you know, that there are all kinds of people that can step in and continue to do, you know, conservative, bold things.”

On endorsing a future candidate:

“I won’t be involved in the primary because I think primaries are healthy. You know, I think that’s one of the things that we’ve done different than the Democratic Party. And I think that’s why they continue to lose – they pick,” she said. “We’ll go through a primary, and I hope it’s, you know, whoever it is, you know, will build. They’ll talk about their ideas and what’s important. And then whoever comes out of that primary, I will be working every single day to do everything I can to help them get across the finish line.”

On her biggest accomplishments as Governor:

“First of all, the fact that we were able to get through COVID. I think honestly, that’s one of the most fundamental things that I was able to do to- to really talk to Iowans every single day. Be honest with them, tell them what we were facing, but ultimately to put my trust in them, to do what was right,” she said. “Because we feed and fuel the world, we had to keep the food chain moving. Ten percent of the nation’s food supply comes from right here in Iowa. So we were essential. And, you know, so we kept it open, you know, not at first, because nobody knew what was going on. But we got our kids back in school quicker than anybody. We let parents decide what was best for them.”

“I feel like with education, I’ve made a lot of promising things. With literacy and math, and really, parental choice, all of that. But really, you know, getting our educational system back on track, cutting taxes, growing the economy, all of that. And so, you lay the foundation, but it doesn’t flip overnight. So, it takes some time to continue to build on those.”

“We were not competitive as far as our tax structure at all. And I think we were one of the six-highest in the country when it comes to an individual income tax rate. And we’re the sixth-lowest right now,” she said. “The movement has been incredible. And we’re not done. And so… and now the thing is no longer taxing retirement income. A lot of people that were down in Florida and Arizona and Texas that have come up and said, ‘I’m coming back, or I changed my plans,’ and so, they’re such a valuable asset for Iowa. We want them here.”

On what she will miss the most: 

Reynolds, who was born in St. Charles, a small town in Madison County, said she is still amazed at having grown up to become the first female governor of Iowa. 

“The people. Honestly, the hugs. Traveling the state,” she said. “The state fair.”

“I’m still going to probably be there all 11 days, you know…. you know, doing my stick at the at the state fair because, you know, where else am I going to wear that big bling buckle, you know? That bling belt and my jeans and cowboy boots,” she said. “There’s nothing else I can do where I can see as many Iowans as I can at the Iowa State Fair. So, I love that.”

On her decision to step away:

The Governor fought back tears as she spoke about the hard decision that she said she thought about for months. She said ultimately, she wants to step away from the demands that the position holds and focus more on her family. Her husband was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023 and on Saturday alone, she said she had four obligations to attend, in addition to events with her family.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say, ‘I love serving Iowans as the Governor,’ And so it’s hard to walk away from something that you love. But family comes first, and they are everything to me, and they’re growing up so fast,” she said. “My oldest grand, our oldest granddaughter, will be a senior next year, and I can’t even believe how that happened. And so it’s just it’s time. And I miss them. I miss my family, and I want to spend more time with them. So that’s really at the heart of it.”

With nearly two years left to serve, the Governor was quick to quell any concerns that she may be considered a ‘lame duck’ for the duration of her term.

“I am all in,” she said. “Always have been and I’m going to sprint hard right across the finish line.”