Iowa Republican Governor Terry Branstad has been confirmed to be U.S. Ambassador to China.

Eighty-two U.S. Senators voted for Branstad’s nomination and 13 Democrats voted no late Monday afternoon. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says Branstad has a strong sense of duty.

 

Joni Ernst, Iowa’s other U.S. Senator, says Branstad will be an “effective advocate” for U.S. interests in China.

 

Branstad will resign as governor on Wednesday morning and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds will be sworn in as Iowa’s 43rd governor