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Hegseth to go to Iowa today to campaign for GOP candidates, sources say
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit Iowa to support GOP candidates and engage with veterans, amid efforts to protect multiple Republican-held congressional seats ahead of the 2024 elections.
- Several high-profile Trump administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, have recently visited Iowa to bolster Republican campaigns and conduct official business.
- Iowa remains a battleground state with competitive races for two U.S. House seats held by Republicans Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, as well as open contests for the U.S. Senate and governor's office.
- Hegseth's planned campaign appearance for Rep. Nunn, an Air Force Reserve colonel, is notable as it is rare for a sitting defense secretary to actively campaign for candidates.
- Last week, Hegseth attended an official ceremony in South Carolina renaming Joint Base Charleston, coinciding with a special Republican primary runoff for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's seat.
