Cruz plans second trip to Iowa

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is making his second trip to Iowa this October, headlining the Reagan Dinner fundraiser for the state’s Republican Party.

{mosads}The rising conservative star has visited the important early caucus state once before, setting tongues wagging about his presidential aspirations. 

Cruz is reportedly contemplating a 2016 run, though he dismissed questions about his intentions during his last visit to the state.

He won a straw poll of potential 2016 contenders at a conservative confab just over a week ago with 45 percent of the vote, easily defeating conservative darlings Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R).

Cruz has also made stops in New Hampshire and South Carolina, two other early states on the presidential calendar.

His last visit to Iowa was well-received by conservatives, and Iowa GOP Chairman A.J. Spiker praised him in a statement as “nationally recognizable” in the party.

“Sen. Cruz has quickly become nationally recognizable as someone who came to Washington to truly shake things up,” Spiker said. “Cruz has been a tremendous leader in holding the Obama administration accountable for the out of control debt and spending problems we face today. We are both honored and ecstatic to be having him keynote our fall Reagan Dinner.”