Terry Branstad facts for kids
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 |
Terry Edward Branstad (born November 17, 1946) is an American politician and former diplomat. He is a member of the Republican Party. Branstad served as the 39th and 42nd Governor of Iowa. He was governor from 1983 to 1999 and again from 2011 to 2017.
He holds the record as the longest-serving governor in United States history. His time as governor lasted over 22 years. After his second time as governor, Branstad became the United States Ambassador to China. He served in this role from 2017 to 2020 under President Donald Trump. In 2023, he became the president of the World Food Prize Foundation.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Terry Branstad was born in Leland, Iowa. His father, Edward, was a farmer, and his mother, Rita, was Jewish. Branstad was raised Lutheran and later became Catholic. He is a second cousin of US Attorney-General Merrick Garland.
College and Military Service
Branstad studied political science at the University of Iowa. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969. Later, he received a law degree from Drake University Law School in 1974.
After college, Branstad was drafted into the United States Army. He served from 1969 to 1971 as a military policeman. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his good service.
Early Political Career
Branstad began his political career in the Iowa House of Representatives. He served three terms there from 1973 to 1979. After that, he became the Lieutenant Governor of Iowa. He held this position from 1979 to 1983. In 1983, he was first elected as governor.
Governor of Iowa
First Time as Governor (1983–1999)
When Branstad became governor at age 36, he was the youngest person to hold that office in Iowa's history. He was reelected three times, serving until 1999. This made him Iowa's longest-serving governor at that time.
During his first time as governor, Iowa's unemployment rate dropped significantly. It went from 8.5% when he started to a very low 2.5% by 1999. The state budget also improved. It went from a deficit (when the state spends more than it earns) to a large surplus (when the state has extra money).
Branstad also led important groups for governors. He was Chairman of the National Governors Association from 1989 to 1990. He also chaired the Republican Governors Association.
Time Between Governorships
After leaving office in 1999, Branstad worked outside of politics. He started his own company, Branstad and Associates, LLC. He also worked as a financial advisor.
In 2003, Branstad became the president of Des Moines University. This is a private medical school. He worked there until 2009.
He also served on important commissions. President George W. Bush asked him to lead a commission to improve education for students with disabilities.
Second Time as Governor (2011–2017)
In 2010, Branstad decided to run for governor again. He won the election, becoming Iowa's governor for a second time. This made him the 42nd governor of the state.
Key Actions as Governor
- Voting Rights: Branstad changed a rule that had allowed some people who had committed serious crimes to vote again after finishing their sentences. This meant Iowa was the last state where these individuals could not vote permanently.
- Taxes: In 2013, Branstad signed a large tax reform bill. This bill led to the biggest tax cut in Iowa's history. It helped reduce property taxes and income taxes for many people.
- Job Creation: An analysis in 2013 ranked Branstad 28th among governors for job creation. This ranking looked at how much the private sector grew in each state.
- Gun Rights: In 2017, Branstad signed a bill that expanded gun rights in Iowa. This included a "stand-your-ground" law and other changes.
- Dakota Access Pipeline: Branstad's choices for the Iowa Utilities Board were seen as favoring the approval of the Dakota Access pipeline in Iowa.
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 many years of experience with China while he was 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 approved Branstad's appointment in May 2017. He resigned as governor of Iowa and was sworn in as Ambassador to China.
As Ambassador, Branstad worked on important issues between the U.S. and China. He traveled to Tibet Autonomous Region in 2019 to learn more about the area. He stepped down as Ambassador in October 2020 to help with President Trump's 2020 presidential campaign.
Personal Life
Terry Branstad married Christine Johnson on June 17, 1972. They have three children: Eric, Allison, and Marcus. They also have eight grandchildren.
His son Eric is a political consultant and lobbyist. His daughter Allison moved to Beijing with him when he was Ambassador. She worked as a teacher there. His son Marcus works as a lobbyist.
Branstad is a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. In 2015, he received the honor of "Knight Commander of the Court of Honor." A biography about him, Iowa's Record-Setting Governor: The Terry Branstad Story, was published in 2015.
Images for kids
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Branstad speaking at the 2016 Roast and Ride, hosted by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst
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See also
In Spanish: Terry Branstad para niños
