The only independent in the state legislature is asking Iowa’s attorney general to issue a written opinion on the proper transfer of power when Republican Governor Terry Branstad resigns to become ambassador to China.
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That’s Senator David Johnson of Ocheyedon. Johnson is a former Republican who switched his voter registration to “no party” this summer when Donald Trump became the G-O-P’s presidential nominee. In December, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds said the constitution is clear and that she will become governor when Branstad resigns. Johnson says there is “ambiguity” in the way the constitution is written and some analysts argue Reynolds may PERFORM the duties of governor, but will NOT get the TITLE of governor.
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A spokesman for Attorney General Tom Miller said weeks ago that Miller agrees with the Branstad Administration, that Reynolds will become governor when Branstad leaves — and that she’ll have the authority to appoint a lieutenant governor. A spokesman for Governor Branstad accuses Johnson of “political grandstanding.” Branstad press secretary Ben Hammes (HAM-uss) says “two months ago” the attorney general and secretary of state were “definitive” that that Reynolds will become governor when Branstad resigns.
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