Terry Branstad was sworn in as governor of Iowa on January 14, 2011, and was sworn in for a second consecutive term on January 13, 2015.
Branstad is the longest-serving governor in U.S. history, as well as Iowa’s longest-serving governor, having previously served in office from 1983 to 1999. He became Iowa’s lieutenant governor in 1978 and was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 1972, 1974 and 1976.
Branstad previously served as president of Des Moines University. Under Branstad’s leadership, the university became the first college in the U.S. to receive the “Platinum Level of Recognition” from the Wellness Council of America.
On May 24, 2017, Branstad was confirmed to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to China.
He and his wife, Chris, have three children and six grandchildren.
