Trump hires staff in IOWA: Ex-president appoints two experts in state that kicks off the primaries in another sign he could run in 2024
Former President Donald Trump's fundraising committee hired two Iowa politics experts in the latest sign he's planning to run for president for the third time in 2024.
Bloomberg News reported Thursday that Trump's Save America group had hired Eric Branstad and Alex Latcham, two Trumpworld veterans based in Iowa.
Historically, the Iowa caucuses kick off primary season during a presidential election year.
Former President Donald Trump, seen leaving Trump Tower this week, has hired two Iowa experts for his Save America group, leading to speculation he's readying a 2024 presidential run
Trump's America First group hired Eric Branstad , who first joined Trumpworld as part of his 2016 campaign effort and then joined the administration. Branstad's father Terry is a former governor of Iowa and served as Trump's ambassador to China
Branstad and Latcham, who are Iowa natives, first joined with Trump during his 2016 campaign.
Branstad, the son of Republican Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad - who ran the state in the 80s and 90s and again from 2011 to 2017 - previously served as Trump's Iowa State Director.
Terry Branstad served as Trump's ambassador to China.
Eric Branstad also worked for the Republican Party of Iowa and helped the Bush-Cheney campaign in the Hawkeye State during former President George W. Bush's re-election campaign in 2004.
He went into the administration, serving as a senior adviser to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
Latcham served as Trump's Iowa political director in 2016 and came from the Republican Party of Iowa.
He did advance work for now Sen. Mitt Romney and former Rep. Michele Bachmann when they ran for president in 2012.
A Save American spokesman, Taylor Budowich, confirmed to Bloomberg the duo had been hired and said they'll help on 'many political matters.'
In 2016, Trump came in second in the Iowa caucuses behind Sen. Ted Cruz. In 2024, he'll likely need to start out strong if he plans to win the GOP nomination again
During his first presidential bid, Trump came in second to Sen. Ted Cruz in the Iowa caucuses.
On the Republican side, the winner of the Iowa caucuses tends not to become the GOP nominee - but Trump will likely need to start strong if he plans to win the nomination again.
For months, Trump has been dropping hints he'll enter the 2024 race.
In May he told supporters they would be 'very happy' when they hear his decision.
He's held political ralles in Ohio, Florida, Arizona and he's traveling to Alabama before the end of the month.
In April during a podcast taping for the Dan Bongino show, Trump said the 'appropriate time' to announce a third presidential run would be after next year's midterm.