Tom Barton, Erin Murphy and Hailey Peck
Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau
Seven Trump administration officials and the Republican National Committee chairman have descended on Iowa in the span of a week, appearing alongside Republican candidates as national attention intensifies around a state expected to host competitive races for Congress this fall.
Rep. Zach Nunn, left, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pose for a photo Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, after Hegseth endorsed Nunn’s reelection campaign at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins helps kick off the Iowa State Fair’s annual Veterans Day Parade on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Des Moines. Collins joined Iowa elected officials and military leaders in honoring veterans and service members.
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion, participate in a roundtable Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown to discuss veterans healthcare, infrastructure needs, benefits and other federal and state veterans issues.
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion, speak with reporters Tuesday after a veterans policy roundtable at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (center) and U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Ottumwa, tour Vermeer Corp.’s global parts distribution center Aug. 12, 2026, in Pella.
Chris McGowan, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president and 4th District Republican candidate, delivers remarks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.
Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann speaks to party activists at the party’s newly opened campaign field office in Newton on Aug. 12, 2026.
Rep. Zach Nunn, left, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pose for a photo Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, after Hegseth endorsed Nunn’s reelection campaign at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins helps kick off the Iowa State Fair’s annual Veterans Day Parade on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Des Moines. Collins joined Iowa elected officials and military leaders in honoring veterans and service members.
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion, participate in a roundtable Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown to discuss veterans healthcare, infrastructure needs, benefits and other federal and state veterans issues.
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion, speak with reporters Tuesday after a veterans policy roundtable at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.
Chris McGowan, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president and 4th District Republican candidate, delivers remarks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.
Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann speaks to party activists at the party’s newly opened campaign field office in Newton on Aug. 12, 2026.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (center) and U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Ottumwa, tour Vermeer Corp.’s global parts distribution center Aug. 12, 2026, in Pella.
