(Des Moines, Iowa – AP) Terry Branstad has resigned as Iowa governor and has been sworn in as U.S. ambassador to China. Branstad resigned in his formal office Wednesday morning at the Iowa Capitol. The ceremony was livestreamed to television screens in the nearby Capitol rotunda, where hundreds of people were awaiting the swearing in of Kim Reynolds as governor.

U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Steven Colloton swore in Branstad as ambassador after signing a resignation letter. Following the brief ceremony, a round of applause broke out in the rotunda. Branstad served for more than 22 years as governor, making him the nation’s longest-serving governor.