Iowa governor Kim Reynolds names state senator chris cournoyer as new lieutenant governor

In November 2020, Donald Trump took legal action against Ann Selzer, her polling firm, and The Des Moines Register, alleging consumer fraud in connection with a poll released shortly before the presidential election. The poll, published on November 2, indicated that Kamala Harris was leading Trump by 3 percentage points in Iowa. However, following the election, Trump secured a victory in the state by a margin of 13 percentage points, which his legal team described as a significant discrepancy that undermines the credibility of the poll. Trump's lawsuit, filed in Polk County, Iowa, invokes the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, asserting that the poll constitutes deceptive advertising and constitutes 'election-interfering fiction.' He expressed his motivation for pursuing this legal action as a sense of obligation to hold those accountable for what he perceives as manipulation of public perception and interference in the electoral process. The case reflects Trump's ongoing narrative regarding alleged election improprieties, suggesting that the media's portrayal of polling data can sway voter sentiment and impact electoral outcomes. Meanwhile, in the political sphere in Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds appointed state Senator Chris Cournoyer as her new lieutenant governor, filling a vacancy left by Adam Gregg who resigned in September 2021. Cournoyer's appointment came more than three months after the prior lieutenant governor's departure, signaling a continuity in leadership for the Reynolds administration. As a tech-savvy senator with a background in computer science, Cournoyer is positioned to bring her expertise to key legislative issues, potentially aiding Reynolds in her work ahead of the legislative session beginning in January 2022. This decision reflects Reynolds's approach to governance and her commitment to ensuring capable leadership as she pursues her legislative agenda in the state.