For Montanans, it’s not even close to start thinking about the 2020 presidential race. But in Iowa, it’s never too early.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock was in Des Moines Friday to campaign for fellow Democrats in the 2018 election, including his personal friend, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller.
Bullock’s name has alsopopped up on the lists of top Democrats to consider for a potential White House bid in 2020.
Iowa is a common stopping ground for prospective candidates to feel out a possible White House bid. The Hawkeye State has the first presidential caucuses in the nation, and voters there are used to seeing politicians from around the country stop by.
He took a tour of businesses outside of Des Moines to introduce himself, and perhaps, test the waters. He also spoke to locals and learned more about one of the key states in the early election caucuses.
"First of all I have a great job being the governor of Montana, but I’m like so many others, concerned about the direction of this country, and the direction of our Democratic party. So to get down and talk to folks to be here, I think it’s important to be part of that conversation, but 2020 is a long way off for sure," Bullock said.
"And I don’t think that Iowans or Montanans are defined by their political party they are defined by whether or not folks are going to be fighting for them, like Congressman (Dave) Loebsack, or like Tom Miller does here in Iowa," he added.
Bullock still has more than a year and a half let in his final term as governor. This summer, he will become the new chairman of the National Governors Association.
See also: Will Montana Gov. Steve Bullock run for president in 2020?