Governor Terry Branstad says he’ll work every day to promote “American values” if he’s confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to China.

Branstad appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Tuesday). Branstad began by thanking his family and he told senators never in his “wildest dreams” had he expected a “farm boy…from Leland, Iowa,” would be nominated for this key diplomatic post. Branstad ended the two-hour hearing with a sobering message about his potential role in convincing China to curtail North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

 

Senator Chuck Grassley said Branstad would bring “Midwestern humility” to the job.

 

None of the senators on the committee raised concerns about Branstad’s nomination and it’s expected the full senate will confirm Branstad to his new post later this month.