Terry Branstad confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China

Branstad, 70, was confirmed by an 82-13 vote. When he resigns as governor later this week, he will be succeeded by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, making her the state’s first female chief executive.

Sen. Joni Ernst said in a statement, “The position of U.S. Ambassador to China is one of the most important ambassadorial positions in the world, and I am confident that my friend and Governor – Terry Branstad – is the right person for the job.”

The vote makes Branstad just the fifth confirmed ambassador of the Trump administration, and hands the Iowa Republican the complicated job of serving as liaison between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Branstad is in his sixth non-consecutive term as Iowa's governor. With more than 22 years at the helm of state government, he is the country's longest-serving governor. He is due to be replaced in Des Moines by Lt. Gov Kim Reynolds, who will be the state's first female governor./.