DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The afterglow of Gov. Terry Branstad’s sixth inauguration is still hanging in the air, but Iowa Republicans are already speculating about the political future for Branstad’s faithful Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. Reynolds, serving her second term as Branstad’s second-in-command, is widely viewed as a likely candidate for governor in 2018, if Branstad steps aside. She’s keeping quiet about her ambitions, but her political mentor is showing no such reticence.

Branstad would not say if he would run again, but he said it is more likely he would support Reynolds. He says she’s “better prepared to be governor than anyone has ever been.” The 55-year-old Reynolds is one of the most high-profile lieutenant governors since Branstad himself held the role from 1979 to 1983.