DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Republican Terry Branstad has been sworn in as Iowa's 41st governor, beginning a record fifth term leading the state after a 12-year break.
Branstad was inaugurated Friday morning, completing a remarkable return to politics after more than a decade away from government. He defeated Democratic Gov. Chet Culver in November.
After taking the oath of office, Branstad called for radically changing and shrinking state and local government.
Branstad argued for being "rid of the yoke of government," which he says taxes too much and over-regulates.
Branstad previously served as governor from 1983 to 1999. His election follows 12 years of Democratic control of the governor's office.
Besides electing Culver, voters gave Republicans a 20-seat state House majority. Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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