Then-former President Donald Trump waves to supporters at the Iowa Pork Producers tent during a visit to the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 12, 2023, in Des Moines. (Charlie Neibergall/The Associated Press)
"We’ve always had a special relationship with the president," Kaufmann told Fox News Digital, as he noted that Trump carried the one-time general election battleground turned red state in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections.
Kaurfmann said Trump's stop in Iowa "is very symbolic, but it’s also very telling of what is important to him and I really believe he’s starting here because not only does he love Iowa, but he believes in the heartland. I think this is a huge message that he’s sending to everyone that he hasn’t forgotten who brought him to the dance."
Veteran Iowa-based Republican consultant Nicole Schlinger said "it's no surprise" that the president has "chosen to kick off America 250 at the best state fairgrounds in the country."
"From the day his helicopter first landed here in 2015, Trump has had a special connection with Iowa. He’s straight-talking, hardworking and unapologetically proud of our country – just like Iowans," Schlinger added. "Starting America’s 250th in Iowa is a reminder that the road to our future runs through the heartland."
"I’ll be an eight-year president," President Donald Trump said. "I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important." (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
But Trump's 2028 flirtations, which he said weren't a joke, and his sweeping moves since the start of his second tour of duty in the White House are keeping the spotlight firmly on him, averting any lame-duck talk and putting a damper on any early moves by those in the Republican Party hoping to succeed the president.
The race for the next GOP presidential nomination won't get underway until Trump's ready to share the spotlight, and he recently said it's "far too early" to begin holding those discussions.
But Trump also added, "I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican, to carry it forward."
Vice President JD Vance is presumed to be the extremely early frontrunner in the race to be the next GOP standard-bearer.
Former President Trump addresses a large crowd of supporters at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Oct. 9, 2021. (Paul Steinhauser - Fox News )
But other Republican politicians, with a likely eye to 2028, already have made stops in Iowa.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who ran unsuccessfully for the 2016 GOP nomination, and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, already have visited Iowa in 2025.
And Govs. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia and Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas stopped in the Hawkeye State in July.
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Kaufmann, pointing to Vance, noted, "I’ve said on multiple occasions that the vice president certainly has a standing invitation."
And Kaufmann, addressing the early 2028 trips to Iowa, highlighted that "it’s 24-7 here, 365 days a year. It’s exactly how we want it and I think our folks are ready for the challenge yet again."
Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in the swing state of New Hampshire. He covers the campaign trail from coast to coast."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hes-not-running-again-2028-trumps-returning-crucial-presidential-nominating-state