Ruben Gallego is headed to the Iowa State Fair in August, further fueling speculation that the Democratic senator is eying a run for president in 2028.
Gallego will appear at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Friday, Aug. 8 — a presidential campaign rite of passage — before attending a Democratic town hall in the Quad Cities the following day, according to a statement from his campaign.
The trip to Iowa follows another campaign stop that signaled, if not intent, at least an interest in running for higher office: Gallego traveled to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a bellwether region in a crucial swing state, for a town hall with local leaders in May.
Gallego’s campaign has described such events as evidence of “his commitment to go anywhere and talk to anyone about the impact the GOP’s dangerous policies will have on American families.” For example, Gallego headlined a virtual town hall with the Alaska Democratic Party last week following the passing of President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending bill.
As for whether or not Gallego harbors presidential aspirations, a spokesman directed KJZZ to the senator’s response to reporters asking similar questions earlier this year.
“That’s a land mine,” Gallego told NBC News in May. “Has it ever crossed my mind? F-cking of course, I’m an elected official, it crosses my mind. Am I thinking about it right now? Absolutely not.”
