DES MOINES, Iowa – The Latest on Gov. Terry Branstad’s nomination as ambassador to China (all times local):

4:40 p.m.

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds is cutting short a family vacation to appear alongside Gov. Terry Branstad at an Iowa rally for President-elect Donald Trump.

Ben Hammes, a spokesman for Branstad, says Reynolds will attend a Thursday night rally in Des Moines that will feature Branstad, Trump and Vice-President-elect Mike Pence. Hammes says Reynolds is travelling to Des Moines sometime between Wednesday and Thursday.

Reynolds was on a vacation with her family this week when news broke that Trump had nominated Branstad to become the next ambassador to China. Branstad has accepted the offer, meaning Reynolds is poised to be the state’s next governor.

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3:15 p.m.

The head of Iowa’s agriculture department, long considered a possible contender to run for governor in 2018, is bowing out of consideration.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says he had begun to explore a run for governor under the premise there might be an open seat if Gov. Terry Branstad finished his current term and didn’t seek re-election.

Branstad announced Wednesday he had accepted an offer from President-elect Donald Trump to become the next U.S. Ambassador to China, a move that has a political ripple effect. Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will take over, making her an incumbent if she chooses to run for governor.

Northey says he encourages Republicans to back Reynolds and ensure her election in 2018. She will soon become Iowa’s first female governor.

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2:45 p.m.

Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds says her six years in office have prepared her for her new role as governor.

Reynolds released a statement Wednesday saying “the experience I’ve gained over the last six years has prepared me well for this next chapter of service to all Iowans.”

Reynolds will become Iowa’s first female governor after current Gov. Terry Branstad steps down to become ambassador to China. President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he’d appointed Branstad to the position, which requires Senate confirmation.

In her statement, Reynolds lavished praise on Branstad, saying Trump’s nomination “speaks volumes about the character, talent and experience of Gov. Terry Branstad.”

She called Branstad her “mentor and friend.”

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2:30 p.m.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he’s “honoured and humbled” that President-elect Donald Trump has chosen him as ambassador to China.

In a statement released Wednesday after Trump announced his appointment, Branstad noted his long ties to Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he first met in 1985. Branstad said “the respect and admiration built over a decades-old friendship between President Xi and I give me an opportunity to help the President-elect and serve Iowa, the United States and the world for the better.”

In his statement, Branstad also noted the nearly 22 years he’s served as governor.

He said “America is at a crossroads, and the American people are looking for bold change to renew our position as the leader in the world.”

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2:15 p.m.

President-elect Donald Trump has announced his choice of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to be the next U.S. ambassador to China.

Trump announced his pick of Branstad on Wednesday at a Manhattan fundraiser.

A Trump transition spokesman confirmed that Branstad had accepted the nomination.

Branstad aides didn’t respond to questions Wednesday about the matter.

Branstad will face a U.S. Senate confirmation process that could take weeks as Trump himself prepares to be sworn in as president. When Branstad resigns as governor, he’ll be replaced by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, making her the first female governor of Iowa.

Branstad will join Trump at a rally in Des Moines on Thursday.