Senate confirms Branstad as U.S. ambassador to China

By Rod Boshart, Gazette Des Moines Bureau

DES MOINES ? On his record 8,167th day as the nation?s longest-serving governor, six-term Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad got the word Monday that he has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be the new U.S. ambassador to China.

Senators voted 82-13 by roll call to approve President Donald Trump?s nomination of Branstad to serve in a critical international role as America?s representation in one of the world?s most powerful nations. Branstad?s nomination was backed by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who called him ?the right person for the job? while Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said ?he?s been a champion for Iowa.?

Branstad, 70, who served as Iowa?s 39th governor from 1983-99 and now as its 42nd governor since returning to Terrace Hill in 2011, announced he will resign his post Wednesday and turn over state executive duties to Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds before embarking on his new assignment.

Once he resigns as governor, he will immediately be sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the People?s Republic of China. Shortly after his resignation, Reynolds will be sworn in as Iowa?s 43rd governor in a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines.

That will end the nation?s longest stint by a U.S. governor of any state, Branstad noted, adding that ?time flies when you?re having fun, right? and it also will mark Iowa?s first woman governor when Reynolds is sworn in as Branstad?s replacement.

?It?s going to be an exciting adventure to serve our country in a very important part of the world,? Branstad, wearing a red tie made in China, told reporters after presiding Monday over what likely was his last Iowa Executive Council ? a group made up of the governor, state treasurer, state auditor, state agriculture secretary and the secretary of state. ?I intend to continue to work hard right up until the end.?

After the Senate vote, Branstad thanked Trump and Vice President Pence for the nomination and the Senate for the confidence they have placed in him.

?Never in my wildest dreams did I think that a boy from a small farm in Leland, Iowa, would one day have the opportunity to represent my country and my state on the world stage, working closely with one of the world?s most influential countries and one of America?s largest trading partners,? Branstad said in a statement.

?None of this would have been possible without the dedicated love and support of my wife Chris and my family,? he added. ?While I?m temporarily leaving the state I love and have governed for over 22 years, I know I?m leaving Iowa in great hands with Kim Reynolds as governor. I look forward to working with both my friend President Donald Trump and my old friend President Xi Jinping for the mutual benefit of both of our countries and the rest of the world.?

Reynolds congratulated Branstad ? her mentor since January 2011 ? on his ?new mission? as a U.S. ambassador, calling him ?a man with a servant heart? who has worked tirelessly on behalf of Iowa and Iowans for more than 22 years as governor.

?His heart to serve has led him to accept a new calling, to serve our state and our country as ambassador to the People?s Republic of China,? Reynolds said in a statement. ?He is uniquely qualified and is the right person for the right time, and we are proud to have him take our Iowa values to the world stage.?

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey called Branstad?s departure ?bitter sweet? but said the council was excited for the governor?s new opportunity in China and the prospects for expanding trade in a key region of the world.

?I know you will take Iowa with you in your heart and you?re not going away forever,? Secretary of State Paul Pate added.

Branstad said he and his wife, Chris, will maintain their home on Lake Panorama and are in the process of sorting and packing things that will go there and will go with them to China as they prepare to vacate the governor?s Terrace Hill mansion.

?She?s kind of been the lead person on that, but I?ve been helping,? Branstad said of the packing process. ?She?s a thrower and I?m a saver, let?s put it that way, but that?s always been the case,? he noted. ?I have a tendency not to want to throw anything away.?

Branstad said his historical, political and military items and memorabilia will be divided among the State Historical Building in Des Moines, a museum in Forest City and the Gold Star Museum at Camp Dodge in Johnston. He said he planned to host a gathering Monday evening at the governor?s mansion for staff and state agency directors, which he noted likely would be one of the last official things he does there as he prepares for the transition to his new role.

?Having served as the governor of Iowa for more than two decades, Branstad has developed a strong understanding of agriculture, trade, and other key national interests,? said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the U.S. Senate floor Monday. ?His experience on these issues will guide him as he works to strengthen our relationship with China and pursue trade policies that can benefit American workers and businesses.?

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., supported his nomination, telling his Senate colleagues on Monday he was ?extremely impressed? by Branstad during the hearing process and his passion for American values while Grassley called him ?a work horse who is not afraid to get in the trenches to get the job done.?

After waiting for more than a month for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to schedule his hearing, Branstad sailed through the two-hour session May 2 with none of the acrimony seen in confirmation hearings for President Donald Trump?s other nominees.

Introduced by Iowa Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, Branstad read an opening statement tracing his journey from a north Iowa farm to the governor?s office.

Responding to questions about trade, North Korea, intellectual property rights, human rights, fentanyl and other topics, Branstad often drew parallels to his experience as governor.

The senators were impressed by his thoroughness and understanding of the issues.

?You?ve had an outstanding hearing,? Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., told Branstad. ?I think your on-the-ground experience with China will serve our nation well.?

He thanked Branstad for being willing to give up ?a very comfortable place -- apparently issues of re-election are not a problem -- to go to a post that is much more temporary yet in many ways far more meaningful from the standpoint of our security and the world security.

The ranking Democrat, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, also was complimentary.

?I want to applaud your presentation here today,? he said. ?You?ve done very well in giving us confidence of your knowledge of the areas and the way you go about trying to reach strategic decisions.?

Later, Branstad admitted to a case of nerves before the hearing began.

?I had a few butterflies going into the hearing,? Branstad said, but having his wife, Chris, sons Eric and Marcus, and past and present staff members and friends filling the Senate hearing room behind him helped.

Prior to the hearing, he met with the 21 committee members to introduce himself.