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Former Iowa Governor – and current gubernatorial candidate – Terry Branstad named State Senator Kim Reynolds of Osceola as his running mate Thursday, and embarked on a seven city tour to introduce her to the public. Reynolds tells KNIA/KRLS News it’s been an exciting, whirlwind start to the campaign.

“It’s a pleasure and an honor to be on the ticket. When I got the call, I was just so excited; my family’s excited, and we’ve had a great kick-off today in seven cities,” said Reynolds. “I was teasing him [Branstad] in the last stop that we made, I said that when he called, I said, ‘I’m ready to hit the road, and let’s go!’ and boy we really did. We started this morning in Ankeny, and it’s been a great day.”

The seventh stop on that tour was a private house party in Pella Thursday evening, that also served as the first fundraiser for the campaign since Reynolds joined the Republican ticket. The 50-year-old Reynolds served as Clarke County Treasurer from 1995 to 2009, and currently serves in the Iowa State Senate. She says her previous experience will be a driving force in what she and Branstad hope to accomplish if elected.

“My background is local government and economic development,” said Reynolds. “I want to see all areas of the state be successful. I think that’s extremely important, because that’s when Iowa is successful.”

The fundraiser was attended by approximately 50 people, and both Reynolds and Branstad stressed Reynolds’s fiscal expertise and experience in rural economic development as being an asset should they win election. Branstad was clearly energized by the addition of Reynolds to the campaign.