Gov. Reynolds criticized by Democrat after booting news media from meeting with farmers' in SE Iowa

William Petroski | The Des Moines Register

Show Caption Hide Caption 'Nobody wins in a trade war,' says Iowa governor Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday that the U.S. needs to hold China accountable, but warned about unintended consequences in the process.

Gov. Kim Reynolds banned the news media from covering a meeting this week with farmers in southeast Iowa, the same day her spokeswoman said the governor will be holding less frequent weekly news conferences.

The event, a roundtable discussion with about 25 farmers Wednesday morning in Keosauqua, had been listed as public on the governor's official schedule and open to credentialed media.

According to a report in the Burlington Hawkeye newspaper, members of the media were informed after arriving at Reynolds' event that they could not be in the room during Reynolds' discussion with Van Buren County farmers.

The purpose of the meeting was to hear directly from Iowa farmers about how President Donald Trump's controversial trade policies have affected their businesses. Trump announced plans last week for $12 billion in emergency federal aid in an effort to bail out farmers hurt by his trade war with China and other countries.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price issued a statement Friday criticizing the governor's decision to bar reporters from the event.

Price said Reynolds' action was the latest instance of her administration's lack of transparency.

Ryan Koopmans, Reynolds' chief of staff, said Friday in an email to the Des Moines Register that Reynolds took questions following the roundtable meeting in Keosauqua.

"She was also joined by press at multiple other events that same day and she will continue to be available to the press multiple times during the week," Koopmans said.

Reynolds hasn't had a regular news briefing for Iowa Capitol reporters since July 18. Her press secretary, Brenna Smith, said Wednesday that Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg may have less frequent formal news conferences in the months ahead. But, Smith said, all of Reynolds' events listed on the governor's schedule would be open to members of the credentialed media.

Reynolds didn't take any questions on Wednesday afternoon after inviting news media to her announcement at the Iowa Capitol that Judge Susan Christensen had been appointed to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Reynolds is facing a challenge in November's election for governor from Fred Hubbell, the Iowa Democratic Party's nominee, which has prompted her to spend more time on the campaign trail.

Reynolds vs Hubbell in race for Iowa governor Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Democratic businessman Fred Hubbell will vie for control of the state’s top office this fall.

On Wednesday, a Hubbell campaign aide said the Democratic candidate for governor is committed to holding weekly news conferences should he win the race.

Reynolds predecessor, Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, was known for his tradition of holding weekly briefings with the Iowa Capitol press corps.