Chris Cournoyer
Office48th Lieutenant Governor of Iowa
GovernorKim Reynolds
Term startDecember 16, 2024
PredecessorAmy Sinclair (acting)
Office 1Member of the Iowa Senate
Term start 1January 14, 2019
Term end 1December 16, 2024
Predecessor 1Rita Hart
Successor 1Mike Zimmer
Constituency 149th district (2019–2023)
35th district (2023–2024)
Birth nameChristine Gearhart
Birth dateJuly 24, 1970 (age 56)
Birth placeDallas, Texas, U.S.
PartyRepublican
SpouseKurt Cournoyer (m. 1997; div. 2021)
EducationUniversity of Texas, Austin (BA)

Christine S. Cournoyer (/kərˈnɔɪər/ kər-NOIR; née Gearhart, July 24, 1970)[1][2] is an American politician who has served as the 48th lieutenant governor of Iowa since December 2024,[3] having replaced Adam Gregg, who resigned from the role in September 2024.[4] A member of the Republican Party, Cournoyer previously served as an Iowa state senator from the 35th District from 2019 to 2024.[5]

On April 28, 2025, Cournoyer filed paperwork to run for Iowa State Auditor in the 2026 election.[6][7] Governor Reynolds endorsed her.[7]

Early life and career

Cournoyer was born in 1970 in Dallas, Texas.[5]

She received a BA degree in 1992 from University of Texas, Austin, in computer science.[5][8] Cournoyer worked as a website designer at Andersen Consulting, before becoming self-employed.[8][9]

She also previously served as the president of the Pleasant Valley Community School District School Board.[10]

Political career

Iowa State Senate

Cournoyer was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2018 and was re-elected in 2023.[5]

During her tenure, she held key leadership positions, including chairing the Education Budget Committee, where she oversaw the allocation of funds for Iowa's educational institutions. Additionally, she served as vice chair of the State Government Committee, playing a crucial role in shaping state government policies and procedures. Cournoyer has also served on several committees, including the Education Committee as vice chair, the Natural Resources and Environment Committee, the State Government Committee, the Transportation Committee, the Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee, the Early Childhood Iowa State Board, and the Research and Development School Advisory Council.[5] She helped Governor Reynolds to reduce the executive-level cabinet agencies from 37 to 16.[11]

Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (2025–present)

On December 16, 2024, Kim Reynolds announced her nomination of Cournoyer to be the next lieutenant governor of Iowa and was sworn in by Chief Justice Susan Christensen later that day.[12]

2026 Iowa State Auditor race

On April 28, 2025, Cournoyer filed paperwork to run for Iowa State Auditor in the 2026 election.[7][11][13][14] Governor Reynolds endorsed her.[7][11][13][14]

Personal life

She married Kurt Cournoyer in 1997 and divorced in 2021.[5][8][15] They share four children, including a set of twins.[8] She lives in LeClaire.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Lieutenant Governor Christine Gearhart Cournoyer "Unlocking Potential" Scholarship". pleasval.org. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  2. ^ "State Sen. Chris Cournoyer takes oath of office as new Iowa lieutenant governor" (video). YouTube. KCCI-TV. December 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Opsahl, Robin (2024-12-16). "Sen. Chris Cournoyer appointed Iowa lieutenant governor • Iowa Capital Dispatch". Iowa Capital Dispatch. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  4. ^ "Gov. Reynolds announces Chris Cournoyer as pick for lieutenant governor Monday morning". weareiowa.com. 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  5. ^ "State Senator". www.legis.iowa.gov. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  6. ^ Pfannenstiel, Brianne. "Iowa Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer files paperwork to run for state auditor in 2026". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  7. ^ "Iowa's lieutenant governor announces campaign for state auditor". KCCI. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
  8. ^ "Iowa Senate district 49 preview: Patti Robinson vs. Chris Cournoyer". The Quad-City Times. 2018-06-05. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  9. ^ Fingerhut, Hannah. "Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds appoints state Sen. Chris Cournoyer as her new lieutenant governor". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  10. ^ Valley, Megan (2018-12-17). "'It's bittersweet': Pleasant Valley school board president prepares for new role in state Senate". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  11. ^ Opsahl, Robin (May 6, 2025). "Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer launches campaign for state auditor". Iowa Capital Dispatch. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  12. ^ "Sen. Chris Cournoyer appointed Iowa lieutenant governor". Iowa Capital Dispatch. 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
  13. ^ Sostaric, Katarina (May 6, 2025). "Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer launches 2026 campaign for state auditor". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  14. ^ Tallal, Skylar (May 6, 2025). "Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer running for state auditor in 2026". CBS. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  15. ^ "2018 Iowa Senate Election: Chris Cournoyer questionnaire". The Clinton Herald. Retrieved March 24, 2025.