Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says she checked with the state Ethics Board before using a gambling industry executive’s private plane to fly around the state last week with her acting lieutenant governor. The gift of the plane’s use is considered a donation to the governor’s campaign. Gary Kirke, the plane’s owner, is seeking a state license for a new gambling casino in Cedar Rapids. Kirke and his wife also are co-hosting a campaign fundraiser for Reynolds next week in Cedar Rapids. Reynolds says the decision about a Cedar Rapids casino will be made by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

 

Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett is considering running against Reynolds for the G-O-P’s nomination for governor in 2018. Corbett says it appears Reynolds may be getting “too cozy” with an executive who hopes to land a multi-million dollar casino. Democrats who hope to face-off against Reynolds next year are weighing in, too. One Democrat at a candidate forum this weekend joked that none of the Democrats flew to the event in southern Iowa on a “corporate jet.”