DES MOINES, Iowa — As Governor Kim Reynolds announced she would not seek re-election, her accomplishments were noted by the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women in Politics.

“I think it’s worth noting that the Governor Reynolds is a history making figure here in Iowa,” said Karen Kedrowski, Director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center at Iowa State University. “She was the first woman to ascend to the governorship. She also did a lot to transform state government. She got to see many of her personal goals enacted into law whether that was the reorganization of state agencies or implementing school vouchers.”

She appointed a female Lt. Governor, Chris Gearhart Cournoyer as the 48th Lieutenant Governor of Iowa. This state is now one of three states with a female Governor and Lt. Governor.

“I think that her legacy will include the historic nature of her governorship,” said Kedrowski. “She was elected at a time when Iowa kind of switched gears from being completely male-dominated to demonstrated quite a significant change in terms of the number of women elected to high office.”

Former Iowa legislator and political talk-show host Jeff Angelo, of 1040 WHO Radio in Des Moines, helped recruit Reynolds to the Iowa Senate when he served there.

“I think that she transformed the state in a way that we’re ready to face the future,” said Angelo. “I think she’s transformed the way that we fund education in this state, she has set up a tax system in the state and regulatory environment that I think sets us up for the economy of tomorrow.”

Reynolds cited a need to spend more time with her family as a factor in her decision.

“No one‘s gonna cry for a politician that says, ‘Oh this life is so busy. I’m not spending enough time with my family.’ I get it, but that is actually true,” said Angelo. “If you are really dedicated as a public servant, you spend a lot of time away from family and on the road and I think there are times when politicians simply say I’ve given all I can to the state and I’m missing valuable time with my family.”

Both Kedrowski and Angelo agree the next Governor will most likely be a person who has state-wide name recognition.

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