Governor Terry Branstad was sworn in for his sixth non-consecutive term as governor in Des Moines surrounded by many supporters including New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
After taking oath, Branstad acknowledged it was his sixth inauguration.
“I still marvel at a system and state where a poor North Iowa farm boy can be elected governor,” says Branstad.
Branstad’s speech focused on bipartisanship and strengthening Iowa’s economy and infrastructure.
"Our country and our state are never finished being build, never finished improving and we are always adapting to what comes our way," Branstad tells the crowd in his speech.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was there setting off speculation about his decision to run for president in 2016 because of Iowa’s first in the nation caucuses. Christie, whose chairman of the Republican Governors Association tells reporters he’s just here to see his friend sworn in.
“Branstad’s taught me a thing or two about politics and how to govern. He’s good at both,” says Christie. “Nobody gets elected 6 times if they’re not. So he’s taught me a lot.”
In December Branstad will become the longest serving governor in the country.
