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Interim workers' compensation commissioner named

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad on Monday named an interim workers' compensation commissioner after the previous commissioner resigned amid a discrimination lawsuit against the governor.Michelle "Miki" McGovern is the acting workers' compensation commissioner effective immediately, Branstad said in a news release. She has served as a workers' compensation deputy commissioner for more than 25 years.

The announcement comes just over a month after Christopher Godfrey resigned from the job. He sued Branstad and other state officials earlier in the year, claiming he was discriminated against for political reasons and because he's gay.

Godfrey, who was appointed in 2006 by Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack and in 2009 by Democratic Gov. Chet Culver, was in the midst of a six-year term when he filed the lawsuit. In it, he claimed he was told to resign after Branstad was elected in 2010 or his salary would be cut. His pay went from $112,000 to $73,000, the lowest allowed.

Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and aides defended the action by painting Godfrey as a poor commissioner who was hurting business. Godfrey said that wasn't true and called the state's workers' compensation climate stable under his watch.

Godfrey is now chairman and chief judge of the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board in Washington.

A judge said recently that the lawsuit will be tried within the year. Democrats in the meantime are using it to argue against Branstad, who is seeking an unprecedented sixth term.

Branstad said a search for a permanent commissioner is underway.