Terry Branstad facts for kids
Terry Edward Branstad (born November 17, 1946) is a retired American politician. He served as the governor of Iowa for two separate periods (1983–1999 and 2011–2017). He also worked as the United States Ambassador to China from 2017 to 2020. Branstad holds the record as the longest-serving governor in U.S. history, having served for over 22 years.
Before becoming governor, Branstad served in the Iowa House of Representatives and as the Lieutenant Governor of Iowa. He was first elected governor in 1982 at the age of 36, making him the youngest governor in Iowa's history at that time. After his first time as governor, he became the president of Des Moines University, a medical school. In 2010, he ran for governor again and won, returning to lead Iowa.
In 2016, President-elect Donald Trump chose Branstad to be the U.S. Ambassador to China. Branstad left his role as governor in May 2017 and began his new job as ambassador in July 2017. He resigned from this position in 2020 to help with President Trump's re-election campaign. Branstad officially retired from public life in February 2025.
Quick facts for kids
Terry Branstad
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Official portrait, 2017
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| 12th United States Ambassador to China | |
| In office July 12, 2017 – October 4, 2020 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Max Baucus |
| Succeeded by | R. Nicholas Burns |
| 39th and 42nd Governor of Iowa | |
| In office January 14, 2011 – May 24, 2017 |
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| Lieutenant | Kim Reynolds |
| Preceded by | Chet Culver |
| Succeeded by | Kim Reynolds |
| In office January 14, 1983 – January 15, 1999 |
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| Lieutenant | Robert Anderson Jo Ann Zimmerman Joy Corning |
| Preceded by | Robert Ray |
| Succeeded by | Tom Vilsack |
| President of Des Moines University | |
| In office August 9, 2003 – October 16, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Richard M. Ryan Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Steve Dengle |
| Chair of the National Governors Association | |
| In office August 1, 1989 – July 31, 1990 |
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| Preceded by | Gerald Baliles |
| Succeeded by | Booth Gardner |
| 40th Lieutenant Governor of Iowa | |
| In office January 12, 1979 – January 14, 1983 |
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| Governor | Robert D. Ray |
| Preceded by | Arthur A. Neu |
| Succeeded by | Robert Anderson |
| Member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 8th district |
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| In office January 8, 1973 – January 7, 1979 |
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| Preceded by | Del Stromer |
| Succeeded by | Clifford Branstad |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Terry Edward Branstad
November 17, 1946 Leland, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Christine Johnson
(m. 1972) |
| Children | 3, including Eric |
| Education | University of Iowa (BA) Drake University (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1969–1971 |
| Unit | 503rd Military Police Battalion |
| Awards | Army Commendation Medal |
Contents
Early Life and Education
Terry Branstad was born in Leland, Iowa. His father, Edward Arnold Branstad, was a farmer. His mother, Rita, was Jewish, and his father was Norwegian American and Lutheran. Terry was raised Lutheran and later became Catholic.
He studied political science at the University of Iowa, graduating in 1969. He then earned a law degree from Drake University Law School in 1974. During this time, he served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971 as a military policeman. He received the Army Commendation Medal for his service.
Early Political Career
Branstad began his political career in the Iowa House of Representatives, serving three terms from 1973 to 1979. After that, he was the Lieutenant Governor of Iowa from 1979 to 1983. In 1983, he was elected governor for the first time.
Governor of Iowa
First Time as Governor (1983–1999)
When Terry Branstad became governor at age 36, he was the youngest person to hold that office in Iowa's history. He was re-elected three more times, serving a total of 16 years. This made him Iowa's longest-serving governor at that time.
During his first period as governor, he led the National Governors Association and the Midwestern Governors Association. He also chaired the Education Commission of the States and the Republican Governors Association.
When he first took office, Iowa faced a budget deficit. Over several years, he worked to balance the state's finances. By the time he left office in 1999, Iowa had a large budget surplus. The state's unemployment rate also dropped significantly during his time as governor.
Between Governorships
After leaving office in 1999, Branstad worked in business and finance. In 2003, he became the president of Des Moines University, a position he held until 2009.
He also served on the President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education. This group worked to improve education for students with disabilities. He was also part of a council that helped detect mental illness in teenagers.
Second Time as Governor (2011–2017)
In 2009, Branstad announced he would run for governor again. He won the election in 2010, defeating the current governor, Chet Culver. This made him Iowa's 42nd governor.
On December 14, 2015, Branstad officially became the longest-serving governor in U.S. history. He surpassed the previous record of 20 years, 11 months, and 2 days.
2014 Re-election
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Branstad ran for re-election in 2014 and won with 59% of the vote.
Voting Rights
As governor, Branstad changed a rule that had allowed many people who had finished their prison sentences to vote again. Iowa was the last state to have a rule that permanently prevented some people with past felony convictions from voting. This changed in 2020 under his successor.
Taxes and Jobs
In 2013, Branstad signed a major tax reform bill into law. This bill, which had support from both political parties, led to the state's largest tax cut in history. It included property tax and income tax relief for Iowans.
An analysis in 2013 ranked Branstad 28th among U.S. governors for job creation. This ranking looked at how much the private sector grew in each state.
Gun Rights
In April 2017, Branstad signed a bill that expanded gun rights in Iowa. This law included a "stand-your-ground" provision and expanded gun rights for minors.
Pipeline Approval
Branstad's appointments to the Iowa Utilities Board were seen as favorable to businesses. These appointments helped ensure the approval of the Iowa section of the Dakota Access pipeline.
U.S. Ambassador to China
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In December 2016, President-elect Donald Trump chose Branstad to be the United States Ambassador to China. Branstad accepted the offer quickly. Trump noted Branstad's long experience with China from his time as governor. China's leader, Xi Jinping, considers Branstad an "old friend." Their friendship began in 1985 when Xi visited Iowa as a young official.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Branstad's appointment on May 22, 2017. He resigned as governor on May 24, 2017, and was immediately sworn in as ambassador.
As ambassador, Branstad worked on important issues between the U.S. and China. In 2018, he opposed a plan to stop providing student visas to Chinese citizens, arguing it would harm trade and American universities. In May 2019, he traveled to Tibet Autonomous Region to learn more about the area and its people.
Branstad stepped down as U.S. Ambassador to China in October 2020. He did this at the request of President Trump to help with his 2020 presidential campaign.
World Food Prize
On January 24, 2023, it was announced that Terry Branstad would become the president of the World Food Prize Foundation. He announced his retirement from this role in November 2024 and formally retired in February 2025.
Personal Life
Terry Branstad married Christine Johnson on June 17, 1972. They have three children: Eric, Allison, and Marcus, and eight grandchildren. His wife, Christine, has worked as a medical assistant and volunteered at schools and hospitals.
His son, Eric Branstad, is a political consultant and lobbyist. His daughter, Allison, moved to Beijing with her father when he became ambassador and worked as a teacher. His son, Marcus, was appointed by his father to the Iowa Natural Resources Commission in 2013 and works as a lobbyist.
Branstad is a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. In 2015, a biography about him titled Iowa's Record-Setting Governor: The Terry Branstad Story was published.
Branstad is a second cousin of Merrick Garland, who served as United States attorney general.
See also
In Spanish: Terry Branstad para niños
