Reynolds says she'll be accessible to Iowa media but won't meet with them formally as often

William Petroski | The Des Moines Register

Show Caption Hide Caption Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she's not retreating from accessibility to Iowa news media Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she's not retreating from accessibility to Iowa news media, even though she hasn't held a regular weekly news briefing since July 18.

Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday she's remaining accessible to Iowa's news media, but her meetings with reporters may be in less formal settings while she hits the campaign trail in a bid to win November's election.

Reynolds hasn't held a weekly news conference since a July 18 event. She talked Monday with two news reporters and a TV camera-operator in her office at the Iowa Capitol after a meeting of the State Executive Council.

Reynolds, a Republican who is facing a tough challenge from Democrat Fred Hubbell, insisted she is not scaling back her contact with the Iowa press corps.

"It is just that we are in a busy time," she said. "I am so accessible. I am all over this state. We go to all 99 counties. We do proclamations. We have an opportunity to ask questions at various stops that we have. So it is just a matter of timing."

The tradition of weekly news conferences with Iowa Statehouse reporters began with the late Gov. Robert Ray and continued with former Gov. Terry Branstad, who often used his press briefings to promote his legislative and political agenda to Iowans. Hubbell staff has said he plans to continue the tradition, should he win.

But Reynolds noted that not every governor has regularly met with the Iowa Capitol press corps.

Reynolds, who succeeded Branstad when he became U.S. ambassador to China last year, has usually held weekly news conferences until recently. But she suggested Monday she needs to revise her approach to accommodate the dual demands of serving as state government's chief executive and running a heavy schedule of campaign stops.

Reynolds said she hasn't made any plans to stop holding news conference entirely. She also said that reporters who have questions can always contact her office or simply show up at other public events on her schedule.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price criticized Reynolds last week after she asked reporters to leave a meeting in Keosauqua. Reynolds met there with about 25 farmers from southeast Iowa for a roundtable discussion to learn how they were being affected by President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on foreign products, which has prompted retaliatory measures against U.S.-produced farm commodities.

Reynolds said she wanted farmers to be able to candidly discuss how they were being impacted by trade issues, and she noted that both she and some of the farmers spoke with the reporters after the meeting ended.

"It was about them, not me," the governor said, referring to the farmers who attended the forum.

"I want to make sure that I am reflecting Iowans that I serve and that I am getting an accurate message to the president, so he can understand the impact that this is having on Iowa farmers," Reynolds said.

Reynolds was asked by a reporter Monday if she agrees with Trump's characterization of the news media as an "enemy of the people", but she declined to offer an opinion.

The Fake News hates me saying that they are the Enemy of the People only because they know it’s TRUE. I am providing a great service by explaining this to the American People. They purposely cause great division & distrust. They can also cause War! They are very dangerous & sick! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018

"Listen, I have no problems dealing with the media asking questions," Reynolds said. "I am not going to weigh in on what the president is saying. I am the governor of Iowa. I am very accessible. I pride myself on being accessible."